South Carolina Guardsman revives man twice in D.C.

April 9, 2026

Summary

A South Carolina National Guard soldier revived the same man twice in Washington within five days, according to a recent release.

Why this matters

The account highlights how naloxone training has been incorporated into National Guard patrol duties in Washington as overdose responses increase. It also shows how emergency medical intervention by patrol personnel has been used during the mission.

Spc. Darrion Rackley of the South Carolina Army National Guard revived the same man twice within five days while supporting the “D.C. Safe and Beautiful” mission in Washington, according to a recent release.

Rackley, an information technology specialist assigned to Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery, was distributing food to people experiencing homelessness while celebrating a recent birthday when a bystander told his team a nearby man was unresponsive.

Rackley reached the man first, identified the emergency as a drug overdose, administered Narcan, and performed CPR, resulting in the man’s resuscitation.

Five days later, while patrolling the same area, Rackley responded to another overdose involving the same individual and again revived him.

Since arriving in Washington, Rackley has taken part in patrols across the city. He recently declined an offer from leadership to take time off after the incidents.

In response to an increase in overdoses in the nation’s capital, the Joint Task Force-District of Columbia added naloxone administration, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, to required training for patrol personnel.

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