Kimura Named ‘Officer of the Month’

Officer Bradden Kimura was recognized as the Kona Crime Prevention’s December “Officer of the Month.”

Kona Patrol Officer Kimura was honored during a luncheon ceremony at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona Wednesday.

The honor comes following Officer Kumura’s efforts in an incident that led to the recovery of a stolen handgun, suspected to be used in the commission of multiple crimes in Kona.

Kona Patrol officers responded to a report of a vehicle break-in at a condominium complex in Kailua-Kona around 5:20 a.m. on Aug. 21.

One of the victims reported to police that one of the four suspects had threatened her with a handgun.

Police located the suspects after obtaining their descriptions and getting information on the stolen vehicle they were using several hours later. When located, the suspects were at another Kailua-Kona condominium.

According to police, the man suspected of brandishing the firearm attempted to flee with a backpack.

Officer Kimura followed the man on foot, and after a short chase, he saw the man abandon the backpack.

Police later found the gunman’s identification and a loaded .45-caliber handgun stolen during the burglary.

The investigation was a team effort, according to Sergeant Mekia Rose, but Officer Kimura was chosen for the honor because of his observations and actions.

“A recovery such as this one makes our community a safer place to live, work, and visit,” Sergeant Rose wrote in Officer Kimura’s nomination papers.

Officer Kimura’s “Officer of the Month” award makes him eligible for “Officer of the Year.”

“Officer of the Month” is a project of the Kona Crime Prevention Committee, an organization that encourages community involvement in supporting of West Hawai’i police.