A water rescue landed Sgt. Brett Getman one of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office’s highest annual awards.
Sheriff Rick Wells named Getman, who works out of the Anna Maria substation, the MCSO’s 2025 Deputy of the Year during a Dec. 5 awards ceremony.
A news release detailing the awards credited Getman for his role in an Aug. 9 water rescue off the shores of Bean Point.
Getman was patrolling the beach with Deputy Vincent Bowman when they found two people in distress and struggling against the current about 100 yards from shore.
While Bowman stayed on shore to act as a spotter, Getman removed his gear, entered the water and swam out with a float to one of the struggling individuals, a teenage boy.
Together, they were able to swim back to shore.
Soon after, Manatee County Beach Patrol rescued the other individual — the teenager’s father — from the water.
Both individuals were transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton, where the father later died.
The release states that, “In acknowledgement 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.”