Video courtesy Hawaii Police Department, voice of Tim Bryan

The honored fallen officers of the Big Island were remembered during a special Police Week ceremony in Hilo this past Monday.

The Hawaii Police Department issued this media release:

Members of the public helped the Hawai’i Police Department celebrate Police Week on Monday (May 10) at the Hilo police station.

In an outdoor ceremony, Mayor Billy Kenoi read a proclamation declaring May 9-15 as Police Week. He commended Chief Harry Kubojiri and the police officers who serve under him. “Not a day goes by that I’m not proud to serve with all of them,” Kenoi said.

Chief Kubojiri expressed his appreciation for the 432 officers of the Hawai’i Police Department who put their lives on the line to serve the public. “Police officers face the possibility of death or injury every time they report for duty,” the chief said. “In law enforcement, that threat is all part of a day’s work.”

Chief Kubojiri and Deputy Chief Paul Ferreira lit four candles in honor of the four officers who have been killed in the line of duty since 1918. They are Manuel Cadinha (1918), William “Red” Oili (1936), Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku (1990), and Kenneth Keliipio (1997). Police officers in attendance then saluted during the playing of “Taps.”

A similar ceremony will be held Tuesday (May 11) in Kona.

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 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week.