Officer Hopson Named ‘Officer of the Month’

Officer Marlin Hopson has been honored as “Officer of the Month” by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee for the month of March.

Hopson received the recognition for assisting beyond the call of duty during a luncheon ceremony on Wednesday, March 4 at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.

When a 45-foot sailboat ran aground on May 18, 2014 at the Old Airport Beach Park in Kailua-Kona, Officer Hopson responded. Two people who were aboard the boat had traveled from New Mexico to Hawai’i. The owner, who is blind, lost his navigation aids on the way to Honokohau Harbor and the boat ran ashore overnight.

The pair aboard the boat were able to swim from the boat to safety, but had to leave their belongings behind. Officer Hopson offered his home to the pair and they accepted.

“Officer Hopson exemplified the Hawai’i Police Department’s core values of compassion and community satisfaction, going above and beyond to help these victims,” said Sergeant Akira Edmoundson, who nominated Officer Hopson for the honor.

Now that Officer Hopson has been honored as “Officer of the Month,” he is eligible for the “Officer of the Year” award.

The organizer of the “Officer of the Month” award, the Kona Crime Prevention Committee, is an organization that encourages community involvement in aiding and supporting West Hawai’i police.