Hilo Officers Send Get Well Gift to Injured Honolulu Officer and K-9

South Hilo Patrol Officers display gifts and a card that were sent to an injured Honolulu Police Officer and his K-9 Hunter. PC: HPD

When Hawaiʻi Police Department officers learned that a Honolulu police officer and Hunter, his K-9, were shot during a standoff on O‘ahu last month, they decided to send them a get well gift.

Officers from the South Hilo Patrol Division put together a donation box in the squad room where officers contributed chew toys, balls and snacks for Hunter, as well as a monetary gift and snacks for his handler.

The carton of “aloha” was packed and carried by an off-duty officer to be handed over to a fellow officer with the Honolulu Police Department.

“Having recently gone through a tragic loss of our own, it was a small way of demonstrating that all officers, even four-legged officers, are part of our extended law enforcement ‘ohana,” said Captain Gregory Esteban, South Hilo Patrol Commander. “Our department experienced an incredible outpouring of support from the community and public safety officials locally, nationally and internationally. These officers simply wanted to reciprocate with this small token and let them both know that they are in our thoughts and prayers and wish them a very speedy recovery.”