The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized today officers Erich Jackson and Carrie Akina as “Officers of the Month” for May for their roles in arresting an armed man who struggled with them and tried to flee.

The officers, who were on foot patrol in an area known for drug dealing, were aware of a report that a man was in the area with two firearms.

The officers encountered the man and informed him they were going to conduct a pat-down search for their safety. When Akina saw the barrel of a gun protruding from the backpack the man was wearing, they told him he was under arrest.

He tried to break free and flee. Jackson wrestled the man to the ground and Akina placed him in handcuffs, police said.

Police, armed with a search warrant, recovered a loaded .38-caliber pistol, a loaded .22-caliber semiautomatic pistol, 3.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a Vicodin tablet and a stolen ID. They also seized $3,217 in cash for forfeiture, police said.

The man was charged with 12 firearms offenses, five drug offenses, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer and unauthorized possession of confidential personal information.

“They were able to work together as a team to successfully arrest and charge the suspect for methamphetamine distribution and weapons offenses,” said Sgt. Grad Elarionoff, who nominated them.