Police Officer, Firefighter Honored for Public Service

Two Hawaii County employees were recognized Thursday by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii for their exemplary service to the public.

The club named Ryan Domingo Officer of the Year and Ian Smith Firefighter of the Year at a dinner held at the Hilo Yacht Club.

Domingo, a 10-year veteran of the Hawaii Police Department, was honored for his life-saving efforts involving the victim of an attempted murder.

He was among officers responding in May to a Hilo home where a 55-year-old woman had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

The first-aid as well as comfort and compassion that he provided were critical to saving her life, officials said.

He also recorded his conversation with the victim which provided important evidence in the charging of the suspect, who was arrested at the scene.

Domingo was also honored last year by the Hawaii State Law Enforcement Officials Association in connection with the incident.

Smith, who followed in the footsteps of his late father in becoming a paramedic, was honored for his continuing dedication to his profession.

A member of the Hawaii Fire Department since 2007, Smith served on the department’s medevac helicopter Chopper 2 before being promoted in 2010 to fire equipment operator.

He serves a variety of advisory roles including membership on several committees including the peer fitness committee and a grant panel that obtained funding to update the department’s EKG monitors.

He also serves as an instructor in several areas including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation through the American Heart Association.

“He continues to provide instruction and support to his peers through these leadership roles and regularly offers mentoring and support to his brother and sister firefighters,” the county said in a news release.