Exposure to infectious diseases isn’t a new concern for law enforcement types.
By HEATHER WELLS
Idaho Falls Post Register
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — A handful of Idaho Falls police officers were tested for an infectious disease this summer after responding to a fatal shooting.
The incident occurred June 25 when officers responded to the 1500 block of Juniper Drive after receiving a 911 call.
Upon arrival, officers found 86-year-old June Beverly dead, a gunshot wound between her eyes.
Her husband, Rheinharde “John” Beverly, has been charged with first-degree murder. The 86-year-old is being housed in a special housing unit at the Bonneville County Jail with a few other inmates and is set to appear in court today. He faces up to life in prison.
Citing federal privacy laws, Bonneville County Jail officials declined to comment on Beverly’s health, except to say he’s been seen by medical personnel.
Federal laws also prevent officers from discussing the June incident, including which disease they may have been exposed to. But, they said, all tests came back negative.
Such tests are protocol after an officer’s exposed to an infected person, IFPD Capt. Ken Brown said.
“We take every precaution, our officers are top priority for us,” he said.
At least one court marshal with the Bonneville County sheriff’s office also was screened for the disease after Beverly appeared in court for the first time in June.
Everything came back negative.
Exposure to infectious diseases isn’t a new concern for law enforcement types, Brown said. Any time officers go out on a call, they risk coming in contact with tuberculosis, hepatitis, AIDS and several other diseases, he said.
To guard against disease, officers are equipped with gloves, antibiotic washes and other tools.
“We may be exposed and don’t even know it,” Brown said. “That’s part of being an officer.”
Court marshals take extra precautions, too, when they know an inmate has an infectious disease - from wearing latex gloves to donning masks to making the inmate sit on a chair that can be washed after the court hearing.
“It doesn’t happen very often,” Senior Court Marshal John Knowles said, adding that they probably see about four inmates a year who have an infectious disease.
But, he said, they rely on what jailers tell them about an inmate’s health status.
That knowledge is key, said Dr. Martha Buitrago, an infectious disease consultant in Idaho Falls.
“You’re probably going to get it from the person who you don’t know has it,” Buitrago said.
Efforts to contact Beverly’s attorney, Chief Public Defender James Barrett, were unsuccessful Monday and Tuesday.
A look at diseases
Under Idaho law, people are required to report roughly 60 diseases to their local health department. Take a look at some of them:
Anthrax
Botulism
Diphtheria
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Tuberculosis
Hepatitis
Measles
Mumps
Rabies
Smallpox
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