On December 27, 2024, Boulder paramedic Edward McClure responded to a call involving a disturbed individual at the University of Colorado. Jesus Lopez Barcenas, 36, was found disoriented, handcuffed, and in a prone position after resisting arrest and allegedly grabbing an officer’s gun. McClure administered 5 mg of Droperidol—without a documented assessment—placed Barcenas prone on a gurney, elevated his torso, applied multiple restraints, and added a “spit sock” over his head. Barcenas suffered cardiac arrest en route and died on December 29. A coroner ruled the death a homicide, citing restraint position, sedation, and underlying methamphetamine toxicity.

Current Legal Status
McClure now faces charges of manslaughter and forging patient care reports. The Boulder County DA asserts his actions were “reckless acts” independent of the officers’ lawful conduct. This is one of the rare occasions where a frontline EMS provider has been criminally charged for patient care.

Lessons for EMS Providers

1. Always Perform and Document a Thorough Medical Assessment

  • Sedation without baseline vitals, mental status evaluation, or documented rationale increases risk—clinically and legally.

  • In this case, failure to assess before administering Droperidol severely undermined professional standards and protocol .

2. Understand and Respect Restraint Protocols

  • Transporting a handcuffed patient in prone position is explicitly contra-indicated by many EMS systems due to asphyxia risks.

  • McClure’s use of excessive restraints and prone positioning on the Litter directly contributed to the patient’s decline.

3. Be Aware of Physiologic Risks of Sedatives

  • Droperidol, like other sedatives (e.g., ketamine), can exacerbate hypoventilation and cardiac distress, especially in combo with stimulant intoxication.

  • Post-McClain reforms in Colorado emphasize caution with sedative use in custody settings.

4. Maintain Objective Professionalism

  • McClure laughed and joked while treating the patient, and allegedly falsified documentation to downplay non-compliance—a devastating breach of trust and duty.

5. Know That EMS Providers Can Be Held Criminally Liable

  • Following the high-profile 2019-Barclenas and 2024-McClain cases, legal precedent is emerging: paramedics can be criminally prosecuted for negligent, reckless, or reckless misconduct.

  • In Colorado, two Aurora paramedics were convicted of negligent homicide in the Elijah McClain case, and one initially received prison time before sentence modification.

What Should EMS Agencies & Providers Do Now?

Focus Area Recommendations
Training Reinforce guidelines for sedation, patient assessment, and positioning, especially under law‑enforcement involvement
Protocols Codify restrictions (e.g., ketamine/Droperidol rules; prone transport prohibition); mandate written justification for sedatives
Documentation Emphasize accuracy and thoroughness—time stamps, assessments, witness statements—all are vital legal safeguards
Culture Encourage empowerment to speak up or stop unsafe procedures (“Stop hurting my patient”)—as advocated by McClain’s mother
Support Systems Provide access to legal counsel and peer support when critical incidents occur

Final Takeaway for EMS Providers

These cases underscore an urgent reality: our actions—especially under pressure—carry profound consequences. Practicing with careful clinical judgment, protocol compliance, and respect for patient dignity isn’t just ethical—it’s essential to our personal and professional integrity.

Let’s use this tragedy as a catalyst: review your agency’s sedative policies, check your awareness of restraint laws, refine documentation practices, and continually advocate for patient-centered, safe care—even when the call is chaotic.

Let’s be careful out there!

📚 References

  1. Schmelzer, E. (2025, July 11). Colorado paramedic charged with manslaughter in Boulder man’s death. The Denver Post. https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/11/colorado-paramedic-charged-manslaughter-boulder-edward-mcclure/

  2. EMS1 Staff. (2025, July 12). Colo. paramedic charged with manslaughter after sedating, restraining man. EMS1. https://www.ems1.com/legal/colo-paramedic-charged-with-manslaughter-after-sedating-restraining-man

  3. Nieberg, P. (2024, December 22). Paramedic gets 5 years in prison for Elijah McClain’s death in rare case against medical responders. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/2583a1039ed5a6c3cd5adc986efbe1d2

  4. Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. (2021). Sedation and restraint protocol updates post-Elijah McClain. [State Medical Director Guidelines].

  5. U.S. Department of Justice. (2023). Law enforcement interactions and medical response: Civil rights and criminal liability considerations. https://www.justice.gov