Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club Names Law Enforcement Officers of the Year
The Kiwanis Club of Flagler Palm Coast has selected Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kyle Manka as one of their Law Enforcement Officers of the Year.
The Kiwanis Club presented the recognition to Deputy Manka during the club’s 20th Annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, May 13, at the Southern Recreation Center in Palm Coast. The luncheon was held in conjunction with National Police Week in Washington, D.C.
Deputy Manka joined FCSO in 2020. Deputy Manka currently serves as a Deputy Sheriff in the Community Policing Division.
Deputy Manka has been recognized for several lifesaving and high-risk responses in 2025. On May 8, deputies, firefighters, and paramedics responded to a 911 call in Palm Coast after a 9-year-old child stopped breathing and began turning blue. Less than three minutes after the call, deputies arrived with an automated external defibrillator. Deputy Manka assisted with the lifesaving efforts at the scene and took over CPR until paramedics arrived. The child regained consciousness and resumed breathing while enroute to the hospital.
Deputy Manka was also recognized for helping disarm a suicidal individual during a high-risk call for service. After the firearm failed to discharge due to a malfunction, Deputy Manka and another deputy seized the opportunity to safely disarm the individual and place the person in protective custody.
In addition, Deputy Manka has assisted in multiple medical emergencies, including responding to several CPR in progress calls, administering Narcan, and providing lifesaving care until medical professionals took over patient care.
“Deputy Manka’s quick thinking, calmness under pressure, and commitment to serving and protecting our community exemplifies law enforcement across the United States,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “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. Along with Deputy Manka, the Kiwanis Club also recognized Sergeant Adrian Zapata from the Bunnell Police Department and Officer Camilla DeFriese-Romero from the Flagler Beach Police Department.
Sheriff Staly served as the keynote speaker, providing an update on public safety efforts and initiatives in Flagler County.
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Flagler Palm Coast recognize the recipients of the Law Enforcement Officers of the Year awards and their respective agency leaders.