HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211220 Eight Officers honored for commendable actionsDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 20, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
(808) 241-1600
Eight Officers honored for commendable actions
LĪHU‘E – The Kauaʿi Police Department (KPD) recognized eight Officers of the Month during
December’s Police Commission meeting held via teleconference on December 17.
Officers Daniel Ball, Zachariah Smith, Christian Kaui, Desmond Thain, Creighton Tamagawa, Eric
Higa and Steven Carvalho were recognized as November’s Officers of the Month, and Officer Blake Saito
was recognized as December’s Officer of the Month.
November’s seven Officers of the Month were responsible for working as a team to help save
the lives of four individuals. And December’s Officer of the Month was responsible for helping reunite a
loved one with family members and subsequently saving their life.
“Every day, police officers have the potential to directly or indirectly save lives, and the actions
of all the officers being recognized today have done just that,” said Chief of Police Todd G. Raybuck.
During the month of October, Kauaʿi police responded to four separate medical calls that were
identified as opioid overdoses. The actions taken by Officers Ball, Smith, Kaui, Thain, Tamagawa, Higa
and Carvalho, had a direct impact on all four patients who have since made a full recovery.
“Often, police officers are the first on scene to an overdose,” said Chief Raybuck. “Recognizing
that an individual is suffering from an opioid overdose, and immediately providing medical attention,
will impact whether the victim recovers or not.”
On October 2 around 6:40 p.m., Officers Ball, Smith and Kaui responded to a report of an
unresponsive man in a public parking lot. Officers located the man who was seated in a vehicle with his
head rolled back. The man was unresponsive, had shallow breathing and small pinpoint pupils. Officers
recognized that the male was suffering from an opioid overdose and immediately acted. Officers
administered multiple doses of Narcan and performed CPR on the man.
On October 21 at around 4:30 p.m., Officer Thain was the first officer on scene to a report of an
unresponsive woman in a shopping center bathroom. The woman was located on the ground and had
shallow breathing. Officer Thain recognized that the woman was suffering an opioid overdose and
administered Narcan while Kauaʿi Fire Department personnel provided further medical assistance.
On October 21 around 11:50 a.m., Officer Tamagawa and Higa responded to an unresponsive
woman at a residence. The woman had shallow breathing and attempts to wake her up were
unsuccessful. The Officers recognized that the woman was suffering from an opioid overdose and
administered multiple doses of Narcan and began CPR.
On October 28 at around 12:20 p.m., Officer Carvalho responded to an unresponsive man at a
campsite. Officer Carvalho located the man who was purple in color and had shallow breathing. Officer
Carvalho began CPR and administered multiple doses of Narcan.
“The decisive actions taken by these officers, along with the assistance of KFD and American
Medical Response personnel, saved the lives of these four individuals,” said Chief Raybuck.
December’s Officer of the Month, Officer Saito, also conducted admirable actions during the
month of October.
On October 10, Officer Saito met with a 34-year-old man who wanted to report losing his
belongings after arriving on Kauaʿi three months prior with the intent of residing on the island. The man
relayed that he was houseless and was having a difficult time.
Officer Saito contacted the man’s mother, who resides in Florida. Officer Saito learned that the
man was suffering from recent personal trauma and had been missing for three months. His family
members feared that he was deceased while his parents had been privately searching for him.
Officer Saito assisted the family in acquiring money for the man to receive food and an airline
ticket to Florida.
On October 11, the man’s mother was reunited with her son. After a family intervention, the
man agreed to enter a rehabilitation program where he is currently receiving help.
“Officer Saito made it possible for the man to reunite with his family and get the treatment he
needs. His family wrote a letter to KPD thanking Officer Saito for giving the man the gift of a new life,”
said Chief Raybuck. “Officer Saito fully embraced the Spirit of Aloha.”
Officers of the Month for November and December.
Officer Daniel Ball. Officer Zachariah Smith.
Officer Christian Kaui Officer Creighton Tamagawa
Officer Eric Higa. Officer Steven Carvalho.
Officer Blake Saito.
Missing from photos: Officer Desmond Thain.
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