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Debbie Dujanovic ReportingFor almost a year, we've brought you reports about Utah police officers exposed to dangerous chemicals inside methamphetamine labs. We've documented cases of more than 80 people who suffer with strange diseases, cancers, or have died. Tonight, meet another who is in the fight of his life.
Detective Jose Argueta is 32. Has esophageal cancer. It's now all over his body. He wanted to tell his story to our Debbie Dujanovic.
Jose Argueta, Midvale Police Department: "I never thought I'd get sick. I was always a healthy guy, always real strong, now I can't even move around that well because of all the surgeries I've needed. And I'm only 32."
Detective Jose Argueta is in the hospital; doctors are trying to stop the swelling around his heart. He doesn't know when or if he'll return to work at Midvale Police Department. The cancer in his esophagus is now in his liver, his lungs, and his lymph nodes.
Detective Jose Argueta: "I'm upset at the cancer and the reason why I got it. If I could do it differently I wouldn't have gone into one single meth lab my whole life."
Meth labs, he investigated hundreds of them. Like fellow officers, he wa exposed to dangerous chemicals suspects use to make the drug. He remembers being issued paper jump suits and duct tape.
Detective Jose Argueta: "I don't know who came up with the idea that paper and duct tape kept the chemicals away; obviously it didn't do anything for me."
Detective Jose Argueta: "I remember seeing a 20 to 30 minute training video on what the possible consequences of a meth lab could do, but it wasn't really emphasized how bad it could really get. If they would've told me if I would've have had a better warning on how bad it could've been. I wouldn't had done it."
He says his doctors believe chemical exposure caused his cancer.
Detective Jose Argueta: "I couldn't figure it out until I started mentioning to doctors that I'd worked as a narcotics officer doing meth labs. That's when all the doctors started saying 'There you go, there's your answer.'"
But he must prove it if he's to win worker's compensation benefits to cover the mounting medical bills he and his wife are stuck with. It's a tough fight from a hospital bed, but it's Utah law. So far, lawmakers haven't wanted to change it.
Detective Jose Argueta: "It's a waste of our time when we need to be in the hospital. We shouldn't be out there trying to convince them this is what made us sick. We already know why we're sick, just listen to us."
Fellow officers are rushing to his aid with a fundraiser next month. Argueta says their support keeps him going; for them, he'll keep fighting.
Midvale Police have organized a barbeque on April 3rd. Everyone's invited.
Jose Argueta Lovin' Life BBQ will be held on April 3 at 155 W. Commonweatlh Ave. (2125 S), Salt Lake City.
You can purchase tickets at the Midvale Police Dept., at 7912 Main St. For more information, call 801-652-7231 or email lovinlifebbq@gmail.com.
Donations can also be made at any Washington Mutual, #3586698042.
