The attendees of the annual Battle Ground Police Department awards ceremony rose to their feet as 16-year-old Nathalie Pineda-Mancia walked to the podium, receiving a standing ovation for actions Police Chief Dennis Flynn said helped protect her family during a violent home invasion last summer.
Pineda-Mancia was presented with the department’s Citizen’s Commendation Medal on Wednesday, May 20, an award reserved for community members who perform with “extreme competence and professionalism during a stressful, hazardous and/or unusual situation,” according to the ceremony's program.
During the ceremony, Flynn detailed the frightening events that unfolded in the early morning in August 2025, when officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a local hotel and a related occupied residential burglary in progress on Southwest 12th Avenue. Flynn said the suspect, believed to be under the influence of narcotics, fled the earlier disturbance before breaking into the family’s home shortly after 5 a.m.
“The sound of the suspect breaking into the home woke up one of the family members, 16-year-old Nathalie,” Flynn said during the presentation. “When Nathalie went to investigate the source of the disturbance, she encountered this strange man inside her family’s home.”
According to Flynn, the suspect became violent and erratic, screaming at Pineda-Mancia before throwing a large glass object at her head. Faced with the choice to flee or intervene, Flynn said Pineda-Mancia instead physically confronted the intruder.
“With extraordinary bravery, she tackled him and forced him into a bathroom, isolating him from her family members and preventing him from moving further into the home,” Flynn said.
Police credited Pineda-Mancia’s actions with helping officers safely take the suspect into custody and preventing the situation from escalating further.
Flynn told attendees Pineda-Mancia's response demonstrated “maturity, composure and valor far beyond her years” and embodied the purpose of the award.
Following the ceremony, Pineda-Mancia said the recognition was emotional because of how deeply the incident affected her life afterward.
“To see that so many people recognize it, it’s quite heartwarming, because it definitely affects my day-to-day life, what happened,” she said.
Pineda-Mancia said she did not have time to think during the confrontation and instead reacted instinctively.
“I honestly didn’t really think,” she said. “It was more just like a reaction. I kind of just blacked out. One moment I was just there and the next I was on top of him.”
She added that the experience has changed her perspective and given her more confidence in herself.
“Yeah, I feel like it gives me more of a sense of security knowing that I’m able to do that,” Pineda-Mancia said. “Because before, I don’t think I would have thought that I could.”
Pineda-Mancia also acknowledged the emotional toll the incident has taken, saying she has relied heavily on support from friends and family and plans to resume therapy soon.
Her parents described the moment as both terrifying and inspiring.
“I have no words. I feel really proud,” her father, Julio Mancia, said. “She’s brave. She always knows what to do.”
Pineda-Mancia said she hopes others can learn from her experience and not freeze during dangerous situations.
“Don’t be afraid,” she said. “Just do it.”
The annual ceremony also honored numerous officers and staff members for investigative work, emergency response efforts and service milestones.
Full awards list:
Promotion
New hires
Commendation Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Citizen’s Commendation Medal
Officer of the Year
