About four dozen civilians and a contingent of uniformed Hawaii Police Department officers attended HPD’s Police Week ceremony Monday at the Hilo Police Station.
Candles were lit for the seven HPD officers and a National Park Service ranger who gave their lives in the line of duty. An honor guard of officers filed a 21-gun salute and “Taps” was played by Paul Arceo, director of the Hawaii County Band. There was also live music by Officer Darryl Castillo, a professional singer-guitarist when off-duty. Castillo also led the National Anthem and “Hawai‘i Pono‘i.”
Police Week is a nationally recognized week of activities in support of police work and in recognition of officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed every May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as National Police Week.
“Today we come together to remember brave men who gave their lives for our community,” said Police Chaplain Renee Godoy. “I say ‘gave’ and not ‘lost’ because each of them whose names are etched on this wall, along with the men and women standing in blue here today, suit up every day knowing that they may be called to give their life for our community.”
Morning sunshine graced the ceremony, which took place at the Memorial Wall, Ka Malu Aloha, where those honored included: Officer Manuel Cadinha, who gave his life in 1918; Officer William “Red” Oili, who gave his life in 1936; Officer Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku, who gave his life in 1990; Officer Kenneth Keliipio, who gave his life in 1997; National Park Ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell, who gave his life in 1999; Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa, who was killed in the line of duty on July 18, 2018; and Police Captain T. Simeona, who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 25, 1890.
”For every name etched on this wall, there is a wife without a husband, a child without a father, a father and mother without a son, a sister or brother without a brother,” Godoy said.
Added fellow Police Chaplain Katrine “Kat” Konanui, “There are no words to describe the gratitude we have towards the officers and their families, and all the sacrifices that they do. … May we remember them not just today, but always.”
Another name was added to the Memorial Wall prior to Monday’s ceremony, that of Officer Michol Octobre. Octobre died Dec. 13, 1916, after he was shot to death in Kalopa during a confrontation with a serial killer named Maxime Bondad. The department recently learned Octobre’s story.
“Adding another name on the wall is not merely an act of remembrance. It’s a solemn acknowledgement of a life lived in service and a life dedicated to protecting and serving others,” said Hawaii Police Department Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz.
Noting that Bondad “was dubbed the ‘Kalopa Murderer’ by several newspapers,” Moszkowicz described Octobre as “a hero who exemplified courage, integrity and selflessness in the face of danger.”
Octobre, who had gone undercover in the Kalopa-area sugar plantation camps as a laborer seeking work, learned Bondad was camping on a grassy Kalopa hillside — according to Moszkowicz, “living on sweet potatoes he grew on a patch of land there.”
Octobre and Deputy Sheriff W.J. Rickard, with three other officers and a small contingent of National Guardsmen, set out to apprehend Bondad, Moszkowicz said.
“Officer Octobre called out in Filipino to Bondad, asking him to surrender. His calls were met with no response,” Moszkowicz said. “And after nearly an hour of searching, Octobre and Sheriff Rickard heard a gunshot somewhere above them on the slope. They looked towards the sound and noticed a curl of smoke arising from the long grass, giving away Bondad’s location. Deputy Rickard believed that Bondad may have shot himself, but Officer Octobre warned him to remain cautious as they continued their approach.
“As they continued uphill, Bondad, who was concealed by the thick brush, fired more rounds at the officers, striking Officer Octobre. Deputy Rickard and the others returned fire, killing the suspect.”
Moszkowicz said Octobre “succumbed to his injuries hours later.”
The chief asked that Octobre’s name and his sacrifices “remind us of the profound debt that we owe to those who stand on the front lines, safeguarding our communities with courage and compassion.”
“To Officer Octobre and to all the fallen heroes whose names grace this memorial wall, we offer our deepest gratitude, our utmost respect, and our solemn promise — poina ‘ole. May we never forget,” Moszkowicz said.
There is a Kona Police Week ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday at the West Hawaii Civic Center.
Tours of the Hilo Police Station will also be given by appointment between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday. To schedule an appointment, call Officer Ali‘i Kuamo‘o at (808) 961-2264.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
