Ishikawa Named Officer of the Month

Officer Lloyd Ishikawa was recognized on Thursday by the Aloha Exchange Club as East Hawai’i “Officer of the Month” for January.

The twenty-eight-year veteran officer, Ishikawa, who is assigned to the Puna District, was honored for his role in capturing four wanted fugitives.

A 26-year-old man attempting to steal a car from a parking lot encountered the owner and fled on foot on Nov. 19. The suspect was captured on a surveillance camera. When South Hilo Patrol officers investigating the case showed the photo to Ishikawa, he immediately recognized the man. The man was wanted for parole violation, burglary, and auto theft in addition to a drug offense. The fugitive was arrested later the same day.

Another incident that led to the capture of a fugitive occurred on Nov. 20, when Ishikawa located a 35-year-old felon wanted for parole violation and several firearm and abuse cases. He arrested the suspect, turned him over to detectives, where he was later charged the felon, with bail set at $140,000.

On Nov. 24, a 41-year-old felon, wanted in connection to an abuse incident the previous day that involved a firearm, was arrested by Ishikawa. Upon arrest, drugs and a firearm were recovered from the man’s vehicle. The suspect was charged with the offense and his bail was set at $122, 800.

Persistence by Ishikawa led to the arrest of a 29-year-old felon who was wanted for more than a year on five warrants, two of which were “no bail” warrants and others totaling $2 million, on Jan. 8. The suspect involved was also wanted for sexual assault. The assault case was turned over to detectives.

Ishikawa was commended by Captain Samuel Jelsma for sharing “his wealth of information” with fellow officers. In nomination papers, Jelsma wrote, “his consistent focus and efforts in taking out the ‘hand targets’ creates a safer environment for officers and residents alike.”

As “Officer of the Month,” Ishikawa is now eligible for “Officer of the Year.”

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