Man Arrested After Hospital Incident

• Case number: 20-01004
• Incident date: September 5, 2020, 10:00 pm
• Incident type: Disturbance
• Location/address: University Hospital

On Saturday, September 5, 2020, at approximately 10:00 p.m., UWPD officers responded to University Hospital, 600 Highland Avenue, for a report of a disturbance. A patient who was recently discharged after being treated for a drug overdose – later identified as Jessie L. Cavins, 38, of Prairie du Sac – had barricaded himself inside a restroom, just inside the main entrance of the hospital. Just prior to the incident, Cavins had collected his personal belongings from hospital security, which included a knife.

UWPD arrived and could hear what sounded like Cavins thrashing around in the restroom. Officers, however, were unsuccessful in any verbal communications with him. The thrashing sounds stopped – officers were still unable to communicate with the subject. Knowing Cavins had just been treated for a drug overdose, and that he was armed with a knife, it was concluded that his safety was in jeopardy and officers breached the door. Once through the door, officers found Cavins unresponsive.

University Hospital medical staff was on standby and immediately administered Narcan to Cavins. He was treated and was eventually transported to the Dane County Jail. Cavins was booked for felony possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a probation hold.