A Palmerton police officer has been recognized for conducting an overdose investigation that resulted in the first successful prosecution of a drug delivery resulting in death in Carbon County.

Det. Kevin Buck received a certificate of recognition by borough police Chief Tim Kromer at Thursday’s borough council meeting in recognition of Buck’s actions while conducting a complex overdose investigation that began in December 2022 and continued for nearly two years.

“Throughout the course of the investigation and prosecution, you devoted countless man hours to ensure a thorough and precise investigation was completed,” Kromer said. “As part of your investigation, you coordinated with numerous other law enforcement agencies.”

Kromer said those agencies included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, Hazleton Police Department, Macon County Georgia Sheriff’s Department, Carbon County District Attorney’s Office, and Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.

“You generated and served nine detailed search warrants to obtain additional evidence against the offender,” he said. “You also coordinated the apprehension of the offender in Georgia and his extradition to Pennsylvania.”

Kromer said Buck’s “attention to detail, tireless dedication, and thorough investigation resulted in the first successful prosecution of a drug delivery resulting in death in Carbon County.

“Your hard work provided a successful conclusion to the tragedy and provided closure to the family of the victim,” he said. “Your actions reflect great credit upon yourself and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Palmerton Borough Police Department.”

Mayor Bo Rodrigues offered congratulations to Buck for his “fine work.”

Kromer said Buck put in countless man hours, and added that for him to have had a successful conclusion was huge.

“We’re very lucky to have him,” Kromer said. “There is no doubt in my mind he is the best detective in Carbon County.”

After the meeting, Buck said he was grateful for the acknowledgment.

“None of this happens if it wasn’t for the chief (Kromer) having the confidence in me to do it,” Buck said. “He was essential with the different things that I needed assistance with; there were chaotic moments where there were multiple things that needed to be done at once, and he was more than willing to help out.

“All in all, it was a team effort, and I can’t say enough about the willingness of (Macon County) Georgia and their cooperation and willingness to pick him up and the sheriff going to get him. Also, the District Attorney’s office willing to send our sheriffs down to pick him up and extradite him back.”

Buck said the suspect in the case was Omar Palacios, 25. Palacios was charged with drug delivery resulting in death, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, criminal use of communication facility, involuntary manslaughter, unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Buck said the victim was a 21-year-old woman who was home on leave from the U.S. military.