HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
LAWRENCE K. MAHUNA
PHONE: 961-2244
AUGUST 24, 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

South Hilo Patrol Officer Daylan Asuncion has been named Officer of the Month for June for what his supervisor described as “actions that exemplify the meaning of dedication to duty and being a police officer 24 hours a day.”

Asuncion received the honor Thursday (August 24, 2006) during a ceremony at a luncheon meeting of the Aloha Exchange Club of Hilo.

The 30-year-old officer was recognized for arresting a wanted juvenile while off duty, after first working a full overnight shift and then testifying in court until 3:30 p.m.

Asuncion and his family were at a Hilo mall at 4 p.m. that day when the officer recognized a juvenile runaway wanted for burglary. Because he was out of uniform and accompanied by his wife and children, he called for assistance on his cell phone. Before backup could arrive, however, the juvenile began to leave the area. Asuncion apprehended the boy and held him until the other officers arrived.

In nominating Asuncion for the award, Acting Lieutenant Richard Miyamoto commended him for choosing to act even though he was “off duty, tired, with his family and without support.” Miyamoto noted that Asuncion is a field training officer, who teaches his values to police recruits.

After accepting the award, Asuncion said he did what any officer would do. “I may have been off duty,” he said, “but officers — their eyes and ears — are always working.”

As East Hawaii Officer of the Month, Asuncion is now eligible for Officer of the Year.