A Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputy known for life-saving responses under pressure was honored Wednesday as one of the region’s top law enforcement officers of the year. Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kyle Manka was recognized at the Kiwanis Club of Flagler Palm Coast’s 20th Annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon, held May 13 at the Southern Recreation Center in Palm Coast.
The event was held during National Police Week, an annual observance centered in Washington, D.C.
Who Is Deputy Manka
Deputy Manka joined the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in 2020 and currently serves in the Community Policing Division. He was selected for the award based on a series of high-stakes calls he responded to in 2025.
A Child Who Stopped Breathing
One of the most notable incidents took place on May 8, 2025, when deputies, firefighters, and paramedics were called to a Palm Coast home after a 9-year-old child stopped breathing and began turning blue. Deputy Manka arrived on scene with an automated external defibrillator in less than three minutes. He assisted with life-saving efforts and took over performing CPR until paramedics arrived. The child regained consciousness and was breathing again while being transported to the hospital.
Disarming a Suicidal Individual
Deputy Manka was also recognized for his role in a high-risk call involving a suicidal person armed with a firearm. When the weapon failed to discharge due to a malfunction, Deputy Manka and a fellow deputy moved quickly to safely disarm the individual and place the person in protective custody.
A Pattern of Life-Saving Response
Beyond those two incidents, Deputy Manka has also responded to multiple other medical emergencies, including CPR calls, situations requiring the administration of Narcan, and other critical care situations where he provided support until medical professionals arrived.
What the Sheriff Said
Sheriff Rick Staly praised Manka’s performance and used the occasion to thank the organization behind the award. “Deputy Manka’s quick thinking, calmness under pressure, and commitment to serving and protecting our community exemplifies law enforcement across the United States,” Staly said. “We thank the Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club for honoring Deputy Manka and the officers from the Bunnell and Flagler Beach Police Departments and for their continued support of law enforcement.”
Community Policing Division Chief Jon Welker accepted the award on Deputy Manka’s behalf.
Three Officers Honored
Deputy Manka was not the only officer recognized at the luncheon. The Kiwanis Club also named Sergeant Adrian Zapata of the Bunnell Police Department and Officer Camilla DeFriese-Romero of the Flagler Beach Police Department as Law Enforcement Officers of the Year for their respective agencies.
Sheriff Staly also served as the event’s keynote speaker, delivering an update on public safety efforts and initiatives across Flagler County.
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