LIHUE — The Hawaii Island police officer shot and killed during a traffic stop Tuesday was a 1990 Waimea High School graduate with family on Kauai.
LIHUE — The Hawaii Island police officer shot and killed during a traffic stop Tuesday was a 1990 Waimea High School graduate with family on Kauai.
“The devastating loss of Officer Bronson K. Kaliloa has touched so many lives across our island, our state and our country,” said Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. Thursday. “Officer Kaliloa dedicated his own life to serve and protect others, and we will never forget his ultimate sacrifice. My sincerest condolences and deepest aloha go out to his entire ohana and fellow officers on Hawaii Island. Our hearts and prayers are with you all.”
In a written statement, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said Kaliloa was a public servant recognized by his community, fellow officers, and family and friends as one of a kind because of his dedication to service, his kindness and his heart of aloha.
As part of the Puna Patrol Division, Gabbard said over the last few months Kaliloa and his fellow officers have been working around the clock to support their community in crisis due to ongoing volcanic activity and lava flow, helping residents who have been displaced from their homes, businesses and farms.
“We mourn with the community of Puna, the Hawaii Police Department, Bronson’s ohana that he left behind, Casey, Samson, Grace and Nathan. We can never forget the sacrifices our law enforcement officers and their families make every day to serve and protect,” she said.
Hawaii Gov. David Ige ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and all state offices and agencies, as well as the National Guard, until July 20. “Our entire state mourns the loss of Officer Kaliloa, a man who dedicated his life to his family and his community. He sacrificed all to protect the community he loved. Dawn and I send our deepest condolences to his ohana,” he said.