2025 Southern Region Officer of the Year Award Winner Announced
Throughout 2024, Senior Trooper Manning demonstrated exceptional commitment, becoming a vital asset to Alabama’s coastal waters. His tireless efforts and skill have significantly enhanced boater safety across the state.
On October 16, 2024, Manning’s heroic actions during a capsized vessel incident in Perdido Bay led to the rescue of four individuals in rough weather conditions. His efforts, alongside Senior Trooper Kenneth Wade, earned him the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Lifesaving Award and the Alabama State Trooper Association’s Trooper of the Year Award. This dramatic rescue, captured on bodycam, showcased his courage and quick thinking.
Manning’s enforcement efforts were equally impressive. In 2024, he conducted 507 vessel inspections, issuing 268 citations and 505 warnings for violations of Alabama’s boating laws. His 24 boating under the influence (BUI) arrests accounted for over one-third of the state’s total BUI arrests, contributing to Alabama recording its lowest boating fatality rate in 20 years. Over the past three years, he has made 60 BUI arrests, maintaining his impactful presence on the water.
Beyond enforcement, Manning logged over 200 hours in boating safety education, teaching the Boat Alabama course and speaking at schools and public events. He also established an annual meeting with Baldwin County livery operators, fostering better communication and reducing issues with rental boats.
As a water safety and NASBLA BUI instructor, Manning trains new Marine Patrol troopers and collaborates with federal partners like the U.S. Coast Guard on special details targeting BUI and trafficking. His selection to represent Alabama at the 60th Presidential Inauguration in 2025 further highlights his leadership.
Senior Trooper Manning’s contributions to the Alabama Marine Patrol and the boating community are truly commendable.
Congratulations, Senior Trooper Jacob Manning, on this well-deserved recognition!
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First presented in 2000, the Marvin “Butch” Potts Memorial Award, known as the Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, is presented annually to the boating law enforcement officer who has made outstanding contributions to the field of boating law enforcement. The award program consists of three levels: state, regional, and national.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is a national nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. We offer a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards, publications, and more. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers, and volunteers, we affect the lives of nearly 85 million American boaters.