Police officers, family and friends gathered Monday to honor the fallen law enforcement officers of Hawaii County during the Police Week ceremony in Hilo.
Hawaii County police held the annual event to recognize and honor William “Red” Oili, Manuel Cadinha, Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku, Kenneth Keliipio, Steve Makuakane-Jarrell and Bronson Kaliloa, all who died in the line of duty.
“National Police Week is an important time to recognize the daily sacrifice our officers make,” said Police Chief Paul Ferreira. “It’s also the time to pass appreciation to men and women for their dedication and perseverance in protecting their communities.”
This was the first in-person ceremony since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Families of the fallen were in attendance and lit a candle for each officer honored in the ceremony.
“It’s good to have this back in person, so we can see families and help them honor their loved ones,” Ferreira said.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a nonprofit dedicated to reporting officer deaths, 2021 was the deadliest year for law enforcement, with a 49% increase over the previous year in the number of law enforcement officials who died while doing their jobs.
The page reported that 617 officers died in the line of duty in 2021. So far in 2022, 105 deaths have been reported, with about 60 of those relating to COVID-19.
The public is invited to attend a second Police Week ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Kailua-Kona police station.
During Police Week, members of the public also are encouraged to attend station tours at the Hilo and Kona police stations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday.
Call Officer Amy Omaya at (808) 961-2264 to schedule an appointment for a tour.