ANNA MARIA – Sgt. Brett Getman of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit is the MCSO Deputy of the Year for 2025.
Getman leads the Anna Maria Unit that provides the city’s contracted law enforcement services.
He earned the award for rescuing a distressed swimmer from the Gulf of Mexico off Bean Point in August.
The incident involved a 45-year-old man and his 15-year-old son.
Getman was among the MCSO deputies, employees and volunteers recognized for their exceptional service at the annual awards banquet held at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa on Dec. 5.
Deputy of the year
According to the press release distributed by the Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 5, “On Aug. 9, Sergeant Brett Getman and Deputy Vincent Bowman were conducting a beach patrol when they were suddenly flagged down to assist two individuals who were being swept away by the strong current and clearly in distress. Sergeant Getman saw two men struggling against the current, 100 yards or more from the shore. Recognizing their immediate danger, Sergeant Getman promptly advised dispatch to contact the Marine Unit, the Coast Guard and Beach Patrol.
“Understanding the risk of drowning they faced, he removed his gear and entered the water while Deputy Bowman stayed on the shore as a spotter. Sergeant Getman swam out to one of the men (the son), directing him to hold onto the float while keeping him alert. Together, they managed to swim back to the shore. When they reached the shore, Beach Patrol arrived and Sergeant Getman instructed them to take their board and assist the other individual (the father) who was still in the water trying to stay afloat. Ultimately, the second individual was rescued by Beach Patrol and the MCSO Marine Unit transported him to a nearby marina, where EMS met them. Both individuals were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. In acknowledgment of his quick thinking, decisive actions, and willingness to risk his own life to save another, Sergeant Brett Getman has been named MCSO’s 2025 Deputy of the Year.”
The father passed away the following day.
The water rescue that Getman participated in was one of multiple water rescues that occurred around that same time and led city officials to impose a Bean Point no-swim zone that was later discarded in favor of signs that warn swimmers of the risks of swimming there.
When contacted by The Sun on Dec. 5, Getman said, “I am honored yet humbled to receive the recognition for Deputy of the Year and the reason for the award. Since my heart attack in 2022, I have always felt there’s a reason for me to be here. Even though it’s disheartening for me personally that I couldn’t save both people that day, I won’t ever forget what Deputy Bowman and I did to try and save both lives. I appreciate the recognition by Sheriff Wells and my peers at the Sheriff’s Office.”
Additional award winners
MCSO Work Farm Inmate Crew Leader Jose Torres received the Employee of the Year 2025 award for the life-saving CPR assistance he provided to an automobile accident victim in May while driving home from work.
Dep. Daniel Ensign and Resource Assistance Case Manager Wanda Alejandre received the 2025 MCSO Bealls Humanitarian Award for the ongoing assistance they provided to a homeless veteran that they persuaded to pursue treatment for his alcoholism through a Salvation Army program that resulted in him being admitted to an assisted living facility where he remained until his health declined.
MCSO volunteer Coralee Garrison received the Robert & Dan E. Molter Memorial Volunteer Award. Garrison, a 10-year MCSO volunteer, is currently assigned to the Crime Prevention Unit that patrols neighborhoods and shopping centers. In the past year, she also participated in 10 health fairs and was twice featured in public service announcements about scams directed at senior citizens. She also organized and coordinated a Sheriff’s Office community outreach event, serves on the MCSO Employment Eligibility Board and as of Dec. 5 contributed 127 volunteer hours this year.
