HPD Officer Honored For Bravery After Being Shot at by Suspect

For his bravery and valor in the line of duty, Officer Benjamin Nishimoto, a 13-year veteran of the Hawai‘i Police Department, was recognized by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i as Officer of the Month for June 2021. It took place during a ceremony at the Hilo Police Station on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.

On Sunday, June 13, 2021, Officer Nishimoto had already completed his regular shift and was nearing the end of his extended shift when he and other Hilo patrol officers responded to an active domestic dispute between a mother and son.  

The male suspect, who was in the garage, told officers that everything was fine but appeared agitated and anxious and went back into the house. Officer Nishimoto proceeded to the front door and, as he was talking to the female victim, heard the sound of a shotgun being “racked”.

Seeing the suspect approach with a large caliber shotgun at the ready, he alerted his fellow officers, giving them precious extra time to retreat and seek cover as the suspect opened fire on the officers. Without hesitation or regard for his own personal safety, Officer Nishimoto was able to bring the incident to an end. His courage and quick thinking saved the lives of his coworkers and the people within the residence.

Every month the East Hawaii Aloha Exchange Club honors a police officer in East Hawaii as their officer of the month. Officers are nominated by their supervisors from the various police districts and a monthly winner is selected.

All officers selected for Officer of the Month are eligible to be selected as the East Hawaii Aloha Exchange Club’s Officer of the Year.