(WDNews) One of its own is being celebrated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has selected ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division’s Senior Trooper Jacob Manning the 2025 Southern Region Officer of the Year.
This national award honors Manning’s leadership in marine law enforcement, outstanding service, and commitment to boater safety.
According to ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor, Sr. Trooper Manning is a prime example of what it means to serve with passion and purpose. In addition to saving lives on Alabama’s waterways, his unrelenting commitment to public safety through education and enforcement has bolstered our Agency and its purpose.
Manning made 24 arrests for Boating Under the Influence (BUI), which accounted for more than one-third of all BUI arrests in the state in 2024, conducted 507 vessel inspections, and issued 268 penalties and 505 cautions. Through his efforts, Alabama had its lowest boating fatality rate in two decades.
On October 16, 2024, Manning and Sr. Trooper Kenneth Wade saved four people from a capsized ship in Perdido Bay during heavy seas. This was one of Manning’s most noteworthy exploits. Manning won the Alabama State Trooper Association’s Trooper of the Year award and the ALEA’s Lifesaving Award for his valor.
Colonel Jonathan Archer, Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety, remarked that Sr. Trooper Manning’s character and training are evident in his ability to remain composed under pressure and make quick decisions in high-stakes scenarios. In addition to his dedication to prevention and education, he sets an example in the field of enforcement. He has an influence that extends well beyond the waters he guards.
Manning makes significant investments in education as well; he has taught boating safety courses for more than 200 hours and given speeches at public gatherings and schools. In order to solve issues with rental boats, he still spearheads outreach initiatives like the Boat Alabama course and an annual gathering with livery businesses in Baldwin County.
According to Matt Brooks, Chief of ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division, Jacob Manning is the kind of trooper that every supervisor aspires to have—someone who works hard, encourages others, cultivates ties in the community, and never stops striving to improve safety. He is a great value to ALEA and to everyone who appreciates Alabama’s waterways because of his expertise, leadership, and commitment.
In addition, Manning is a NASBLA BUI Instructor, collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard on collaborative operations to prevent illegal trafficking and boating while intoxicated. He was selected to represent ALEA at the 60th Presidential Inauguration in January 2025 as a result of his service.
He is one of the best boating law officers in the country thanks to the NASBLA award. When the National Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year is revealed at the 66th Annual NASBLA Conference in September in Des Moines, Iowa, Manning will get official recognition.
The agency called the distinction not just a personal accomplishment but also a proud moment for the entire state of Alabama, and commended Manning for setting a high standard in the field of marine law enforcement.
