Incapacitated officer hands case to other officers; meth bust results

Bill Edward Gallagher

CRESTVIEW – A Crestview police officer who became incapacitated during a traffic stop handed his case to other officers, who found methamphetamines and chemicals in the stopped car.

On Nov. 21 the officer noticed a car traveling on Brackin Street that appeared to be swerving. He ordered the driver to stop.

During the stop, "I became incapacitated and was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center," the officer wrote in the arrest report. He did not describe what caused him to become incapacitated.

Other officers arrived to finish the investigation.

An officer found suspected methamphetamine's in the driver's possession, the officer learned later. They also found syringes, a jar of methamphetamines in the car, a needle in the glove box, a gasoline container with gas, anti-freeze, chlorine, muriatric acid, a funnel, tubing, a plastic bag, and a metal pot with an unknown substance.

The man, now identified as 34-year-old Bill Edward Gallagher of Crestview, admitted the methamphetamines were his but said he didn't manufacture the drugs. The report didn't indicate why the materials were in his car.

Gallagher was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of listed chemicals, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His court date is Jan. 15.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Incapacitated officer hands case to other officers; meth bust results