FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Some weeks in law enforcement are busier than others. Then there are weeks like the one Sheriff Rick Staly just had.
In the span of just a few days, the Flagler County Sheriff was sworn in as vice president of the Florida Sheriffs Association, honored deputies and staff for saving lives, and — while heading to dinner with his wife — arrested a driver clocked at up to 125 mph on Interstate 95.
Proof, perhaps, that a sheriff really is never off duty.
From Miami to I-95
The week began on a high note as Staly was sworn in July 28 as vice president of the Florida Sheriffs Association during the organization’s Summer Conference in Miami.
The promotion marks another milestone in his service to the statewide association. After serving on the FSA Board of Directors for more than five years, including as board chair, treasurer and secretary, Staly is now in line to become president in July 2027 — a first in Flagler County Sheriff’s Office history.
“For more than a century, the Florida Sheriffs Association has stood behind the Office of Sheriff and the people we all serve, and it is an honor to help lead that mission,” Staly said. “I am thankful for the trust Florida sheriffs have placed in me and I look forward to working alongside my fellow sheriffs and FSA President Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods to advance the training, legislative advocacy, and community partnerships that strengthen the safety and security of the residents of our great state.”
Flagler County Commission Chair Leann Pennington praised the appointment.
“Sheriff Rick Staly is one of the finest sheriffs ever to serve Flagler County and in the State of Florida,” Pennington said. “It is an honor to have him represent our community and a pleasure to support him.”
Recognizing Everyday Heroes
Just two days later, on July 30, the Sheriff’s Office held its Second Quarter Awards Ceremony, recognizing employees whose actions quite literally saved lives.
Life-Saving Awards were presented to Detective Corporal Adam Barkoskie and his family for rescuing a teenage boy who suffered a seizure while swimming, detention deputies Ty Jurgensen and Walker Skoglund for saving an inmate attempting suicide, and a multi-agency team of deputies, officers and Real Time Crime Center personnel for safely intervening in another suicide crisis.
On March 27, Detective Corporal Adam Barkoskie and his family noticed a teenage boy in distress while swimming at Rainbow Springs State Park. Corporal Barkoskie’s wife and 14-year-old daughter immediately assisted the boy and kept him above water after he suffered a seizure and lost consciousness. Corporal Barkoskie then pulled the boy to safety, coordinated emergency response efforts, and remained with him until first responders arrived. The entire family’s exceptional courage, teamwork, and decisive action saved the young boy’s life. Photo: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Additional honors included a Unit Citation, Specialty Service Awards, Certificates of Appreciation, Employee of the Month recognitions, and years-of-service milestones celebrating employees throughout the agency.
“Our employees give their all to save lives and make their communities a safer place on and off-duty,” Staly said. “These honorees represent the dedication of our entire team, and it’s my honor to recognize the job these outstanding men and women are doing.”
Safety Recognized Across the State
The honors continued July 31 in Orlando, where the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office earned third place in the 2026 Florida Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Challenge among agencies with 101 to 200 sworn officers.
The statewide award recognizes agencies that excel in developing traffic safety programs designed to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities.
“Placing third among great competition across the state is an honor and a testament to our team’s efforts to keep drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians safe,” Staly said. “Not every crash can be prevented, but our team does a great job through focused enforcement and educational opportunities to limit unsafe driving, ensuring that we keep our roads safe even as our county continues to grow with more residents and visitors each year. I commend our team for earning this recognition and award.”
The recognition reflects years of expanded traffic enforcement and education. Since 2017, the Sheriff’s Office has increased its dedicated Traffic Enforcement Unit by 213 percent, while launching initiatives including Operation CRASH, Best Foot Forward pedestrian safety campaigns, Teen Driver Challenge classes that have trained more than 150 young drivers since 2022, and high-visibility enforcement efforts with local and state law enforcement partners.
“Traffic complaints are our number one quality of life complaint, which is why we have increased our dedicated Traffic Enforcement Unit by 213 percent since 2017,” Staly said.
Dinner Plans Delayed
Then came Friday evening.
Around 5 p.m. on July 31, Sheriff Staly was headed south on I-95 with his wife en route to a dinner meeting when a white Dodge Challenger with black racing stripes blasted past his unmarked patrol vehicle.
Instead of dinner, it became a traffic stop.
Using his agency vehicle’s certified speedometer, Staly paced the Challenger between 115 and 125 mph for nearly six miles as the driver repeatedly weaved across all three lanes of traffic, passing vehicles within just a few feet of their rear bumpers.
After activating his lights and siren, the driver eventually stopped just south of Old Dixie Highway in Volusia County. The driver, identified as 22-year-old Arul Nayak of Palm Coast, was taken into custody without incident.
