(BIVN) – The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaiʻi presented their Annual Police Officer of the Year Award to Police Officer II Daniel Tam on Monday evening in Hilo.

According to a Hawaiʻi County Police media release:

On February 12, 2018, Officer Tam was assigned to a reported theft in the Eden Roc Subdivision where several generators and tools were reported to have been stolen. He conducted neighborhood checks to develop any leads in the case and through his determined efforts a suspect was apprehended. In making the arrest he recovered all the stolen property along with marijuana and 24-rounds of ammunition from the suspects backpack.

On February 18, 2018, Officer Tam was recognized for his heroic efforts in a structure fire in Hawaiian Paradise Park. He entered the heavily smoke-filled house with Officer Tristin Allen to ensure no persons were inside, and in doing so they encountered a 75-year-old man and directed him out to safety. He then put out the flames from a propane-fueled stove in the kitchen area putting his own life in danger.

“Officer Tam displays outstanding investigative skills in his daily police work and has earned the respect of his co-workers and the community he serves”, award presenters said, also telling the story of how Officer Tam helped someone find a lost wallet in Kalapana.

During the same event, the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaiʻi also presented their Annual Firefighter of the Year award to Chas Taketa.