Officer Thompson Named ‘Officer of the Month’

Officer Mike Thompson. HPD photo.

Officer Mike Thompson was recognized as May “Officer of the Month” by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee on Wednesday.

Officer Thompson was honored during a luncheon ceremony at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona for an act of kindness that has been described by his supervisor as “far beyond compassion.”

An 88-year-old woman called 911 after 12 p.m. on Dec. 19 to report that Meals on Wheels had missed a 9:30 a.m. delivery and she was hungry.

Dispatchers attempted to contact the agency but were not able to reach anyone, so Officer Thompson was sent to check on the woman’s welfare and to see if she was in need of medical attention.

On Officer Thompson’s way to the woman’s house, he stopped at his own home and gathered food items from his pantry to share with the woman. He then went to her home and prepared her a meal. When he found out that the woman couldn’t open cans, he opened additional cans of food and placed them in the refrigerator in plastic containers for her to use in the future.

Sergeant Grad Elarionoff nominated Thompson for the award.

“In a time when police officers are becoming increasingly hardened, a simple gesture of aloha reminds us all that police officers are people too, caring people,” Elarionoff wrote in nomination papers. “I’m at a loss for words.”

Now that he has received the “Officer of the Month” honor, Officer Thompson is eligible for “Officer of the Year.”