The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office recognized employees and citizens whose actions saved lives and resulted in major arrests during the 2025 Fourth Quarter Awards Ceremony held January 29 at the Sheriff’s Office Operations Center.
Sheriff Rick Staly presented multiple Life-Saving Awards, Unit Citations, Certificates of Commendation and Appreciation, and other recognitions during the ceremony.
“I am honored to not only recognize our outstanding team members but also members of our community, including the 911 caller whose actions undoubtedly saved a kidnapping victim from the clutches of a registered sex offender,” said Sheriff Staly. “I am honored to be able to recognize these outstanding men and women who serve and protect the citizens of Flagler County. They exemplify the best of the best.”
Citizens Honored for Life-Saving Actions
Cody Clark received a Life-Saving Award for his actions on December 31, 2025, when he called 911 to report suspicious activity involving a white Ford F250 with children inside. His call led deputies to locate a kidnapped 11-year-old victim and resulted in two arrests.
Irvin Sandoval received a Life-Saving Award for his actions on November 15, 2025, when he stopped to help a person leaning over the edge of the Matanzas Woods overpass of Interstate 95. Sandoval called 911 and attempted to stop the individual from jumping. When he approached, he noticed the person holding a knife. Deputies arrived and witnessed Sandoval wrestling the weapon from the individual’s hand. The person was placed into protective custody under a Baker Act and transported to the hospital.
Deputies Recognized for Overdose Reversals and Medical Emergencies
Deputies Kaleem Chohan and Kyle Manka, along with Public Safety Telecommunicator Stephanie Mayberry, received Life-Saving Awards for their response on November 22, 2025, to a call about a man not breathing. Mayberry provided CPR instructions over the phone while deputies responded and administered Narcan. The man regained consciousness.
Deputies Kailen Jackson, Ashley Jacques, Austin Miller, and Cameron Punsky received Life-Saving Awards for their response on December 14, 2025, to a 911 call about a woman who had passed out and was turning blue. Deputies performed CPR and deployed Narcan and an AED until paramedics arrived. The woman was transported to AdventHealth and is expected to make a full recovery.
Corporal Craig Rossi and Deputies Kyle Manka and Brendon Torres received Life-Saving Awards for their response to a CPR emergency on December 22, 2025. They performed CPR, provided ventilation, and deployed an AED, delivering one shock. The patient regained a pulse and was transported to the hospital.
Deputy First Class Shayna Favorite and Deputy Jeremiah Velazquez received Life-Saving Awards for their response on December 24, 2025, to a possible fentanyl overdose. They arrived within seconds and administered Narcan. The subject made a full recovery.
Unit Citations for Major Investigations
A team of deputies, detectives, and a Real Time Crime Center specialist received a Unit Citation for their work following 17 burglaries reported overnight on August 29, 2025, across western Flagler County. Five handguns were stolen. The team obtained video evidence, identified suspects through surveillance footage, and coordinated with the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office. Their work resulted in three suspects being charged with a total of 36 felonies, including one juvenile charged as an adult.
Multiple employees received a Unit Citation for their response on October 16, 2025, when a retired law enforcement officer accidentally shot himself in the leg during a firearms qualification. Detention Sergeant Timothy Abruzzo secured the firearm and helped the retiree to the ground. Instructors applied a tourniquet immediately, and multiple employees kept the retiree alert during transport.
A large team of deputies, firefighters, and civilian Jack Pamer received a Unit Citation for their work on December 19, 2025, locating and saving a Silver Alert subject. Pamer found the subject’s abandoned vehicle in a hunting club. Detective Corporal Seth Green located the unconscious but breathing subject clinging to life in a wooded area approximately 50 yards from the vehicle. Deputies carried the man through difficult terrain, and he was airlifted to Halifax Hospital. He was expected to make a full recovery.
Numerous deputies, detectives, crime scene investigators, and emergency communications personnel received a Unit Citation for their response on November 16, 2025, to a disturbance with weapons at Flagler Beach Village. One subject had a gunshot wound to the chest and another had a gunshot wound to the leg. Deputies rendered aid and secured both scenes. An arrest warrant was obtained for the suspect involved.
Certificates of Commendation
Deputies First Class Thomas Douglas and Jordan Taylor received Certificates of Commendation for their investigation on September 5, 2025, after being alerted that a student possibly possessed a firearm. When the initial search found nothing, the deputies continued investigating and located social media posts confirming the report. The suspect confessed, and the firearm was secured. Deputy First Class Douglas also determined the firearm was obtained during car break-ins in the E-Section of Palm Coast in June 2025.
Detective Lauren Broomfield received a Certificate of Commendation for managing a full Major Case Unit caseload while taking on 18 open Internet Crimes Against Children investigations, serving as Sex Offender Detective, and training new detectives. By October 2025, she had secured arrest warrants in two ICAC cases involving child predators from Ohio and California targeting victims in Flagler County.
Detention Deputy Alyssa DeMarco-Wall received a Certificate of Commendation for her thorough search on November 29, 2025, that recovered 25.5 units of illegal substances concealed by a female inmate, preventing the contraband from entering the detention facility.
Certificate of Appreciation
Citizen Observer Patrol volunteers including Sergeant George Navarro, Corporal Rick Bellebuono, and COPs Carol Bader, Sarah Fall, Dennis Felsin, Jonathan Norris, and Cameron Orr received Certificates of Appreciation for their traffic control work during the Sugar Mill Community Halloween event on October 31, 2025. The event drew thousands of residents and families, and no incidents were reported.
Employee of the Month and Service Milestones
Detective Lauren Broomfield was named Employee of the Month for October, Detention Deputy Alyssa DeMarco-Wall for November, and Deputy Kyle Manka for December.
Detention Deputy Ian Christensen was recognized for 10 years of service, and Detention Sergeant Timothy Abruzzo was recognized for 20 years of service. Sergeant Paul Kandour received a Specialty Service Award for serving over six years on the Emergency Response Team.
