Hawaiʻi Police Department
Office of the Chief
Chief Harry S. Kubojiri
Phone: 961-2244
Aloha Exchange Club member Joey Estrella presents an "Officer of the Month" award to Officer Ryan Pagan
Aloha Exchange Club member Joey Estrella presents an "Officer of the Month" award to Officer Daniel Tam
Media Release
The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaiʻi on Thursday (December 17) recognized Hilo Patrol Officer Ryan Pagan as the East Hawaiʻi “Officer of the Month” for November and Puna Patrol Officer Daniel Tam as the East Hawaiʻi “Officer of the Month” for December.
Officer Pagan was honored for rescuing an elderly woman after she and her husband were reported missing. The woman had fallen days earlier, was unable to get up, and had been without food and water since her fall. Her husband was found nearby but was no longer alive.
“It is Officer Pagan’s perseverance that made the difference which saved a life that day,” wrote Lieutenant Alan Kimura in nomination papers. “He is not a person who looks for recognition or talks about his accomplishments; however, his actions deserve to be acknowledged.”
Officer Tam was honored for what his sergeant called his “extremely proactive approach” to law enforcement.
Sergeant Chris Correa cited five cases to illustrate the officer’s proactive approach to policing:
- An arrest for burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.
- A traffic stop that led to drug charges and an arrest for a $20,000 warrant.
- A traffic stop that led to two men being arrested on warrants.
- The arrest of an escaped juvenile.
Sergeant Correa described Tam’s initiative, work ethic and dedication to duty as “admirable” and noted that the officer has not taken a day of sick leave since he began his employment two years ago. “Officer Daniel Tam has clearly demonstrated his genuine concern for the safety and well-being of our citizens and our island community,” Correa wrote in nomination papers.
As “Officer of the Month,” both Pagan and Tam are eligible for “Officer of the Year.”
The East Hawaiʻi “Officer of the Month” award is a project of the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaiʻi.