Washington cop, 54, collapses in precinct and DIES from fentanyl and meth poisoning while on the job near Portland

A Washington state police sergeant found unconscious in his office died of fentanyl and methamphetamine poisoning, according to authorities.

Sergeant Richard Kelly, 54, was pronounced dead at a local hospital in Battle Ground, Washington on August 10 after he was discovered at the department.

At the time of his passing, the Battle Ground police said he had experienced a medical emergency while on duty.

The results of the autopsy were released Thursday, as the department's Chief Mike Fort ordered an independent audit of how officers handle seized narcotics and other evidence.

Police in Vancouver, Washington, investigated Kelly's death and concluded that it was 'more likely than not caused by an intentional act and not an incidental workplace exposure,' read the statement.

Sgt. Richard Kelly, 54, was found unconscious in his police department office. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital Aug. 10, according to a department news release

It was later determined that Kelly died of a fentanyl and methamphetamine overdose that was 'more likely than not caused by an intentional act'

Chief Fort said he will institute training changes as needed in his department, based on the findings of the investigation.

'Substance abuse is a serious problem that often goes unsuspected and undetected,' said the chief.

'As a community, we need to support local efforts to assist anyone struggling with the effects of mental health and substance abuse so they may achieve recovery.'

Fort's comments, along with the findings of the Vancouver police indicate that Kelly may have been suffering from an addiction prior to his unexpected passing.

The sergeant had been with the Battle Ground police since 2005. The department serves the city - situated about 30 minutes outside of Portland, Oregon - with a population of about 22,000.

Fort said in a statement that he wanted to 'thank the community and other law enforcement agencies once again for their compassionate support of the men and women of the Battle Ground Police Department as we grieved through the shock of this death.'

'Sergeant Kelly's unexpected passing was a significant and traumatic event for his co-workers, family, and friends.'

When ingested, it is extremely easy to overdose on fentanyl, which is regularly used to cut hard drugs like cocaine and heroin.

The DEA warns that just two milligrams of fentanyl - which, for reference, is similar in appearance to 10 to 15 grains of table salt - is considered lethal.

The drug binds to receptors in the brain, causing a feeling of numbness, euphoria and sedation.

Over time it diminishes the receptors' sensitivity, eventually leading to the opioids being the only way a person can reach those feelings. This leads to addiction. 

When a person overdoses, their breathing may stop, depriving the brain and other parts of the body of oxygen. As a result, a person will suffer severe brain injury.

This can often be deadly. Even survivors will often have permanent brain damage.

Kelly was found unconscious while on duty at the Battle Ground, Washington police department

A kilogram of fentanyl was stashed on top of play mats at a Bronx daycare center which resulted in the death of a one-year-old boy in September

The fentanyl epidemic continues to plague America with no obvious signs of slowing down any time soon.

In September, enough fentanyl to kill 500,000 people was found at a Bronx daycare of all places.

Three toddlers died as a result of accidentally inhaling the deadly opioid. The owner of the daycare and her cousin are facing possible life sentences for running an unsanctioned pill mill through the center, unbeknownst to parents.

In the last year, several cops have also allegedly experienced near-fatal overdoses from handling fentanyl at the scene of a crime - though experts say that skin contact with the drug alone would likely not cause an instant overdose.