From left, Frank Consentino of the Kiwanis Club, Officer Camilla DeFriese-Romero of the Flagler Beach Police Department and Flagler Beach Police Chief Lance Blanchette during the 20th Annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon in Palm Coast. Photo by Rich Carroll
From left, Frank Consentino of the Kiwanis Club, Sergeant Adrian Zapata of the Bunnell Police Department and Bunnell Police Chief Dave Brannon during the 20th Annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon in Palm Coast. Photo by Rich Carroll
Frank Consentino of the Kiwanis Club speaks during the organization’s 20th Annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon at the Southern Recreation Center in Palm Coast. Photo by Rich Carroll
Rick Staly speaks during the 20th Annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon hosted by the Kiwanis Club at the Southern Recreation Center in Palm Coast. Photo by Rich Carroll
Members of local law enforcement agencies are recognized during the 20th Annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon hosted by the Kiwanis Club at the Southern Recreation Center in Palm Coast. Photo by Rich Carroll
The Kiwanis Club honored local law enforcement officers during its 20th Annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon on May 13 at the Southern Recreation Center in Palm Coast.
The event recognized outstanding service from members of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Bunnell Police Department and Flagler Beach Police Department.
Frank Consentino, a longtime board member and past president of the Kiwanis Club, said the organization has proudly honored local first responders through the annual awards program for the past 20 years.
“Well, it’s important because they are our first responders,” Consentino said. “We’ve been very proud to do it for the last 20 years.”
Deputy Kyle Manka of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was honored as one of the club’s Officers of the Year for his lifesaving actions and community service.
Sheriff Rick Staly said Manka, who joined the agency in 2020, has received multiple lifesaving awards during his career.
“One of the most recent ones was of a nine year old child who had a heart cardiac event,” Staly said. “Deputy Manka was the first on the scene before the fire department got out his AED that all of our cars are equipped with and used it. And by the time the paramedics got there, his heart was back beating.”
Staly also said Manka recently helped de-escalate a suicidal individual and safely saved the person’s life.
The luncheon also recognized Sergeant Adrian Zapata of the Bunnell Police Department.
Bunnell Police Chief Dave Brannon described Zapata as a key leader within the department who serves as an instructor, recruiter and patrol supervisor.
According to Brannon, Zapata was involved in two separate lifesaving incidents last year, including helping revive a heart attack victim using an AED and saving a choking baby.
“He immediately took the baby in his hands,” Brannon said. “I watched the body camera video. He did a few back thrusts and cleared the obstruction and the baby started breathing again.”
Officer Camilla DeFriese-Romero of the Flagler Beach Police Department was also honored during the luncheon.
Flagler Beach Police Chief Lance Blanchette praised DeFriese-Romero for her positive attitude and commitment to community policing.
“She’s quick to get out of her car, and she truly understands the meaning of community policing and the important role that plays in our community,” Blanchette said.
Sheriff Rick Staly also thanked the Kiwanis Club for continuing the annual tradition of recognizing local law enforcement officers.
“And so I’d like to thank the Kiwanis for always hosting this law enforcement appreciation where we recognize the best of the best,” Staly said. “I didn’t realize it was the 20th year. That’s quite an accomplishment.”
Consentino closed his remarks by thanking local first responders for their continued service.
“Only that we cannot thank our first responders enough,” Consentino said. “They are underpaid and overworked.”
