Hilo officers send get-well gift to injured Honolulu officer and K-9

When Hawaii Police Department officers learned a Honolulu police officer and his K-9, Hunter, were shot during a standoff last month, they wanted to send them a get-well gift.

Officers from the South Hilo Patrol Division collectively decided to put together a donation box in the squad room, where officers contributed everything from chew toys, balls and snacks for Hunter, as well as a monetary gift and snacks for his handler. The carton of aloha was packed and hand carried by an off-duty officer to be given to a fellow officer with the Honolulu Police Department.

“Having recently gone through a tragic loss of our own, it was a small way of demonstrating that all officers, even four-legged officers, are part of our extended law enforcement ohana” said Capt. Gregory Esteban, South Hilo Patrol commander. “Our department experienced an incredible outpouring of support from the community and public safety officials locally, nationally and internationally. These officers simply wanted to reciprocate with this small token and let them both know that they are in our thoughts and prayers and wish them a very speedy recovery.”