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"Officer of the Month" for April and May 06-28-07

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
LAWRENCE K. MAHUNA
PHONE: 961-2244
JUNE 28, 2007

[Select photo for larger image]

photo: castillo and gutierrez

Officer Darryl Castillo, in photo at left, and Officer John Weber, in photo at right, receive
“Officer of the Month” plaques from Joseph Guitierrez, president of the Aloha Exchange Club of Hilo.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Aloha Exchange Club of Hilo recognized Vice Officer John Weber as “Officer of the Month” for April and Hilo Patrol Officer Darryl Castillo as “Officer of the Month” for May in a luncheon ceremony Thursday.

Weber was recognized for executing three search warrants in Puna that led to three arrests and the recovery of black tar heroin as well as marijuana from two “indoor grow” operations. Weber’s supervisor, Lieutenant Samuel Jelsma, described Weber as a very dedicated worker. “He just keeps the momentum going,” Jelsma said.

Castillo was recognized for catching two graffiti painters following a rash of graffiti incidents in Hilo. Castillo’s supervisor, Lieutenant Mitchell Kanehailua, said that after Castillo made his arrests, the graffiti problem “dropped off dramatically.”

At the recognition ceremony at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel in Hilo, both officers gave credit to the other officers who work with them. “I accept this on behalf of all the Hawaii County Police Officers because they work very hard,” Castillo said.

The two officers also acknowledged the support they get from their families. “It takes a lot of time away from home,” Weber said.

As East Hawaii Officer of the Month, Weber and Castillo are now eligible for Officer of the Year.

The East Hawaii Officer of the Month award is a project of the Aloha Exchange Club of Hilo.

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