The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office recognized dozens of employees during its 2025 Third Quarter Awards Ceremony on Oct. 30 at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Operations Center.
Sheriff Rick Staly presented multiple Life Saving Awards to employees for their roles in saving lives. He also awarded a Sheriff’s Citation, Unit Citations, Certificates of Commendation and Appreciation, and other honors to employees and citizens.
“We have an amazing team here at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Staly. “I am honored to be able to recognize these outstanding men and women who selflessly serve and protect the citizens of Flagler County. They exemplify the best of the best.”
Three employees received employee of the month recognition, and 17 were recognized for reaching years of service milestones ranging from five to 20 years.
Life-Saving Awards
Sergeant Carmine Celico received a Life Saving Award for responding to a suicidal subject on July 10. Upon arrival, he found the person in their vehicle, gasping for air with numerous zip ties around their neck. Sergeant Celico cut the zip ties free, preventing them from ending their life. The subject was taken into protective custody.
Deputies Michael Gibbs and Kyle Manka received Life Saving Awards for responding to an armed and suicidal man on July 11. They found the man holding a handgun to his head. After the firearm failed to discharge twice and while both deputies observed the man trying to make it work, they seized the opportunity to disarm him and place him in protective custody.
Deputies Nathaniel Drew and Jacqulyn Medina received Life Saving Awards for performing CPR on an elderly man who collapsed without a pulse at Planet Fitness in Palm Coast on Aug. 13. Their quick actions before medical arrival helped regain the man’s pulse. He was then transported to AdventHealth Hospital.
Major Investigations
Nikki Smith, the agency’s payroll and grants accountant, received a Sheriff’s Citation for securing more than $1.6 million in state and federal funds. The funding will be used for traffic enforcement and safety, purchasing advanced technological equipment, removing narcotics and other illegal drugs, enforcement of immigration laws, and providing mental health resiliency training.
Multiple employees received Unit Citations for their work on Operation: Summer Slammer, a large-scale operation concluded in July 2025. The six-month investigation consisted of over 50 undercover operations in which large amounts of narcotics, cash, and firearms were seized. The investigation resulted in 24 arrest warrants for various narcotics offenses including drug sale and drug trafficking charges.
Another Unit Citation was awarded for a sexual battery case first reported in 2015 involving a child between 2006 and 2009. The investigation was revived in March 2023 when the victim provided additional evidence. Detectives repaired and forensically examined the victim’s damaged cellphone, which revealed crucial new evidence. On July 29, an arrest warrant was issued for two counts of sexual battery on a child.
Master Detective Adam Gossett received a Certificate of Commendation for investigating a delayed robbery case involving two Bank of America locations in Palm Coast. His work identified four suspects connected to a South American theft ring. A multi-agency operation was launched that included the Department of Homeland Security and several state and local law enforcement agencies from around the country.
Detective Corporal Adam Barkoskie received a Certificate of Commendation for investigating a case in which a woman fraudulently posed as a registered nurse at AdventHealth Palm Coast, treating approximately 4,486 patients without a valid license. The suspect was charged with multiple felony counts and taken into custody.
Distinguished Service Awards
Director of Human Resources Christopher Wagner received a Distinguished Service Award for modernizing the human resources function. FCSO now has all positions filled and is in an approved over-hire status with a waiting list. FCSO has been recognized twice by the Daytona Beach News-Journal as one of the ten best places to work in Volusia/Flagler.
Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge received a Distinguished Service Award for his work since January 2017 in implementing Sheriff Staly’s vision. He has been instrumental in negotiating budgets, coordinating funding, and overseeing the design and construction of the new Flagler Sheriff’s Operations Center.
Chief Daniel Engert received a Distinguished Service Award for transforming the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. In five years, the facility has become an award-winning and accredited county jail with programs that provide opportunities for inmates and have significantly reduced the recidivism rate.
