With bagpipers and motorcycle officers leading the way, more than 200 police officers, their supporters and dignitaries marched down Beretania Street from the main police station to the state Capitol on Monday to observe the start of Police Week 2012 and pay homage to those who died in the line of duty.
This year the focus was on fallen Honolulu Police Department officers Eric Fontes and Garret Davis.
Fontes died Sept. 13 when a pickup truck ran into him during a traffic stop on Farrington Highway near an offramp to Ko Olina. Davis was stopped on the eastbound lane of the H-1 freeway at Kaonohi Street at Aiea to assist people in a stalled vehicle when a vehicle struck his patrol car on Jan. 21.
During a memorial service Monday night, police Sgt. James M. Kinney said he worked with Davis at the police station in Wahiawa and shared a bond with him as a fellow officer. Each of them was prepared to put his life in the hands of the other, he said.
He said he was shocked when he heard Davis’ name on the police radio and knew he was in serious trouble. He later learned about the crash.
"It was like the whole world had come to an abrupt stop," Kinney said. "A piece of each of us died."
Kinney described Davis as having a contagious smile, a positive attitude and a unique way of bringing people together.
"Everyone respected him," Kinney said.
Police Chief Louis Kealoha said it is important to remember these officers not for how they died, but how they lived.
"In addition to remembering these officers, we also remember the survivors, those who lost a father, mother, son, daughter, sister or brother," Kealoha said. "Let’s remember them in our thoughts and prayers."
Kealoha said he hopes God will sustain them in their time of need.
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle said this week is a time to remember the sacrifices made by police and other law enforcement officers.
"These things do not come without sacrifice. … We promise to remember," said Carlisle, a former Honolulu prosecutor.
Monday’s memorial service took place in the Capitol courtyard with a roll call of officers who died in the line of duty.
A line of officers placed candles at a display of the photographs of 45 fallen police officers as their names were read and projected onto a film screen.
Police Week is a national observance designated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to recognize the sacrifices of law enforcement officers.
A number of events are scheduled for this week, including an HPD Service Awards Ceremony at the Mission Memorial Auditorium at 10 a.m. Thursday and an awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction at the Pacific Beach Hotel at 6 p.m. Saturday.
