KAILUA-KONA — The first female to win the Officer of the Month in half a decade was recognized by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee for her outstanding service to the community.
Officer Erica Carballo, a three-year veteran of the Hawaii Police Department, was nominated by Lt. Akira Edmoundson for her role in preventing tragedy at a domestic dispute in May.
Honored at Huggo’s Restaurant last Wednesday, she’s the first woman officer to win the award since 2014.
“Officer Carballo’s contact with the suspect made such an impression on the public defender that she reached out to the department,” Edmoundson said. “It is felt that Officer Carballo may have saved the suspect’s life through her professional conduct and expertise at de-escalation. We never hear something like that from the PD’s office.”
The situation arose after Carballo responded to a dropped 911 call.
Upon arrival at a home in Kailua-Kona, officers observed a male suspect who was visibly upset and in possession of a loaded rifle. Officers took cover and began talking to the suspect. They convinced the suspect to put the firearm down and were able to take him into custody without incident.
Further investigation revealed the suspect was involved in a verbal altercation with other family members that escalated to the point where the suspect threatened other family members with the rifle and fired a round into the ceiling of the residence.
The suspect was arrested and charged with two counts of terroristic threatening and one count of reckless endangering.
Edmoundson said this year Carballo has investigated 143 incidents, made 21 DUI arrests and issued 348 traffic citations. She further excelled with her commitment to public safety by receiving extensive training as a certified Drug Recognition Expert.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” said Carballo, thanking the committee.
For 35 years, the Kona Crime Prevention Committee has been honoring outstanding police officers through its Officer of the Month and Officer of the Year awards. Carballo will be eligible for the 2020 Officer of the Year
“Officer Carballo is a proven asset to HPD and the community,”Edmoundson said. “She demonstrates a high level of investigative competence and initiative. In the face of danger she was able to maintain the department’s core values of professionalism and compassion.”