Detective Todd Honored as ‘Officer of the Month’

Aloha Exchange Club member Joey Estrella presents an ‘Officer of the Month’ award to Detective Grant Todd.

Hawai’i Police Department Detective Grant Todd was recently recognized as the East Hawai’i “Officer of the Month” for January by the Aloha Exchange Club.

Detective Todd received the honor for the role he played as lead investigator in a series of investigations that resulted in the arrest of a man who was considered armed and dangerous.

Richard James Kong was initially sought for domestic violence, but while searching for him, Detective Todd and a colleague spotted Kong driving a stolen truck.

Upon stopping the vehicle, Kong fled into thick vegetation, and the truck, along with its contents, were recovered as evidence.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect had deployed explosive devices and that the truck he was pulled over in could have had similar devices or materials.

Bomb technicians recovered a device from the vehicle and rendered it safe.

Detective Todd took the initiative and organized the numerous cases into a manageable list, according to authorities.

Upon Kong’s arrest, the investigation led to 39 charges, with bail set at nearly half a million dollars.

“As a result, a dangerous individual was taken off the streets,” said Lieutenant Gregory Esteban, who also noted that Todd’s initiative and abilities made the case more manageable and efficient.

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

The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai’i conducts the East Hawai’i “Officer of the Month” award as a project.