Honor their sacrifices
during Police Week
May 11 to May 17 is Police Week — a week set aside by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to honor the fallen officers and all those who lay their lives on the line to keep our communities safe on a daily basis.
A recent event on the Big Island highlights the danger our officers face to keep us safe. An undercover officer was shot in broad daylight in a very public place where there are typically lots of people in the area.
The event petrified our island with fear as schools were locked down and the suspect managed to escape and wreak havoc for three days while an intense manhunt — involving many different law enforcement agencies — ensued.
Every officer who had to pursue the fugitive day and night did so knowing that it could end in a gunfight endangering other officers.
Every spouse who had their partner on that assignment — and their children — worried for the safety of their officer. Children were crying in lockdown at their schools, and parents worried for their safety.
Heroes in blue were swift to set aside concern for their own safety and move to restore safety for us. They went without sleep until they apprehended the suspect and ended our terror.
These officers have families that make great sacrifices to love a hero. We owe them more than we can ever repay.
Let’s not forget that as Police Week approaches, and let’s give them the respect and honor they deserve every week of the year as they work hard to keep our island safe.
Renee Godoy
Police and fire chaplain,
President/founder of Friends of First Responders
This is why we have the
Second Amendment
Just finished reading my monthly issue of “American Rifleman.”
I still love my guns and bought two more, no problem.
Here in Hawaii, we have some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country. I do think responsible gun owners should be able to own assault rifles, even machine guns and rocket-launchers.
We may need them if a president refuses to leave office, claims absolute immunity and declares himself “King for Life.” That is why we have the Second Amendment!
Peace and love.
Tony Guiteras
Papaikou
