East Hawaii officers honored for heroism, dedication

Last spring, an apparent suicide was reclassified as a homicide because of tenacious investigative work by Detective Derek Morimoto of the Hawaii Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigations Section. At about the same time, South Hilo Patrol Officer Joshua Willing risked his life to rescue two children stranded in Wailuku River. Then in November, South Hilo Patrol Officer Sheldon Adviento and new officer Keanu Lumwon apprehended a dangerous suspect wanted on an outstanding warrant.

The dedicated and heroic work of these officers and other members of the police department were honored by the East Hawaii Aloha Exchange Club during a recent ceremony at the Hilo police station.

Each month the club honors a police officer in East Hawaii as officer of the month. Officers are nominated by their supervisors from the various police districts and a monthly winner is selected. Winners are normally honored during the club’s monthly meeting; however, because of COVID-19 restrictions, no meetings have been conducted since March.

On Dec. 22, club members visited the police station to honor some of this year’s recipients.

Morimoto was presented with a certificate and recognized as Officer of the Month for May for his work on a death case. Initially classified as an apparent suicide, the case was reclassified as a homicide because of Morimoto’s investigative efforts and resourcefulness. The case has since been routed to the prosecutor for grand jury action.

Willing was honored for his efforts during the rescue of two minors who became stranded on a rock outcropping in Wailuku River above Boiling Pots during a flash flood. While trying to prevent the parent of one of the children from jumping into the river after their child, Willing was himself swept away and submerged underwater. He and the parent were able to get back to safety and both children were rescued in good condition. For his heroism and courage, Willing was named Officer of the Month for April.

Adviento and Lumwon were both honored as Officer of the Month for November for their diligence and professionalism in apprehending a dangerous suspect wanted for violating probation on an outstanding warrant for robbery, theft and narcotic use. Apprehended in a retail location, the suspect became extremely combative and the situation could have easily deteriorated were it not for the officers’ professionalism and calm demeanor.

Also honored as Officer of the Month but not present during the Dec. 22 ceremony was retired South Hilo officer Jo Aoki, who was honored as the recipient for March.

All officers selected for monthly honors are eligible to be selected as the East Hawaii Aloha Exchange Club’s Officer of the Year.