Officer Brian Beckwith Honored As April ‘Officer of the Month’

Officer Brian Beckwith. HPD photo.

Officer Brian Beckwith was recently honored as April’s “Officer of the Month” by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee.

The committee recognized Officer Beckwith during a luncheon ceremony on Wednesday in Kailua-Kona.

Officer Beckwith was honored for his compassion and integrity.

On Feb. 14, he responded to a report of a man in a wheelchair at Kailua Pier who appeared to need assistance. The 78-year-old man had lost both of his legs as a result of a medical condition.

The man told Officer Beckwith that someone had stolen the battery charger to his electric wheelchair. He was unable to care for himself and had been stranded on the pier since the previous day.

Officer Beckwith attempted to contact social service agencies to assist the man, but no one was available to help since it was a three-day weekend.

Taking matters into his own hands, Officer Beckwith reserved a hotel room in Waimea and after completing his shift drove the man to the hotel. During him time off, he visited the man several times, cleaning him and providing food and company.

The man was a Korean War veteran and had an appointment with the Veteran Administration on Feb. 16. Officer Beckwith drove him to the VA office and attempted to get him placed in a suitable living environment. The VA was unable to help, so Officer Beckwith continued to help the man.

On the following day, Officer Beckwith saw a Kona resident with the same wheelchair, so he borrowed it to charge the veteran’s wheelchair.

Office Beckwith was eventually able to find placement for the veteran with assistance from Adult Protection Services.

Officer Beckwith has been a member of the Hawai’i Police Department for three years. Prior to joining the force, he served in the United States Coast Guard for four years.

For the past four years, he also been a combat medic as an active reserve for the Department of the Army.

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