LIHU‘E — Four Kauai Police Department (KPD) officers were honored for their “critical role in significantly reducing impaired incidents” at a luncheon on Wednesday.
LIHU‘E — Four Kauai Police Department (KPD) officers were honored for their “critical role in significantly reducing impaired incidents” at a luncheon on Wednesday.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted the KPD officers and members of the police leadership team. The two organizations honored Officer Tyler Henshaw, Officer Alexander Lacson, Officer Desmond Thain and Officer Shawn Hanna for “their exceptional dedication to reducing injuries and fatalities caused by drunk and drugged driving.”
In 2023, these officers collectively conducted 79 arrests on Kaua‘i for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. The intoxicant can be either alcohol or drugs.
“Each impaired driving arrest an officer makes represents a life saved,” said Police Chief Todd Raybuck in a statement.
“Our commitment to enforcing traffic laws isn’t about citations — it’s about protecting families and preventing tragedies. I want to express my deepest gratitude to every officer here for your exceptional commitment. Your actions on the road are crucial in keeping Kaua‘i’s families safe.”
According to records, two of the four traffic fatalities that have occurred so far in 2024 involved impaired driving. Keeping the road safe is a shared responsibility that relies heavily on the collaboration between law enforcement and the community.
By choosing to obey traffic laws, reporting unsafe drivers or road conditions, and consistently practicing safe driving habits, you can help to safeguard lives, KPD said.
This year marks the return of MADD’s award ceremonies to acknowledge the contributions of law enforcement officers after taking a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.
MADD Hawai‘i has been dedicated to putting a stop to impaired driving, helping victims and preventing underage drinking for 40 years.
