Kohala Officer of the Quarter: Severo Ines

Hawai‘i Island Safety and Security Professionals Association President Bill King presents a “Kohala Officer of the Quarter” certificate to Officer Severo Ines.
HPD photo.

The Hawaiʻi Island Safety and Security Professionals Association recognized Officer Severo Ines as “Kohala Officer of the Quarter” during a ceremony on Friday, Aug. 12.

Officer Ines was honored for intervening while off duty after a man who was driving dangerously in a stolen vehicle threatened another driver at a gas station.

On May 24, Ines was off duty in his personal vehicle when he observed a vehicle illegally passing his vehicle and four others in a no-passing zone, nearly causing a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer.

Officer Inez located the driver a short time later at a gas station in Honokaʻa.

He saw that the man was acting in a threatening manner toward another man at the gas station and that he punched the window of another vehicle, frightening the driver away from the scene.

When the man began to threaten his initial target, Officer Ines identified himself as a police officer and ordered him to stop.

The aggressor then charged at Officer Ines.

Despite being in plainclothes and without any police gear, Officer Ines subdued the aggressor and held him for more than five minutes while waiting for an on-duty officer to arrive.

Police learned that the man had stolen the vehicle from the South Kohala District.

He was arrested and charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, reckless driving, theft and resisting arrest.

Sgt. Edwin Buyten said in nomination papers that Officer Ines’ peers recommended him for the award because of his “courageous bravery” and exceptional police work.

Buyten said the officer’s “selfless act stopped the aggressor from assaulting another citizen” and was “in keeping with the highest traditions of public service.”

The Hawaiʻi Island Safety and Security Professionals Association is an organization of hotel and airport security managers and visitor industry professionals.

Its “Kohala Officer of the Quarter” program is an opportunity to recognize outstanding officers from the North Kohala and South Kohala Districts.