Officer Cho Named ‘Officer of the Month’

Officer Darren Cho was named “Officer of the Month” by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee during a luncheon ceremony Wednesday at Huggo’s restaurant in Kona.

The honor followed Cho’s intervention when a known criminal who was a suspect provided a false name to another officer.

Cho, who was familiar with the man from prior investigations, knew the man sometimes carried firearms. Cho contacted the officer and provided him with the man’s real name.

In addition, Cho investigated the man’s pickup truck with the knowledge that he had previously been alleged to have been involved in car thefts and other property crimes. An investigation led to the discovery that the license plates in the front and rear did not match, and that the vehicle was stolen. A sawed-off shotgun and drugs were found in the vehicle.

The suspect was arrested and taken to the Kona police station while Cho helped detectives continue the investigation, which led to seven felony charges and four misdemeanor charges.

“I believe that through the tireless efforts of Officer Darren Cho, police were able to get a potentially dangerous man and weapon off of the streets,” Sergeant David Araki wrote in nomination papers.

Now that he has been honored as “Officer of the Month,” Cho is eligible to become “Officer of the Year.”