The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Officer Kalae Lee as “Officer of the Year” in a luncheon ceremony Wednesday (September 9) at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.

Officer Lee was recognized for his work in the arrest of a suspected drug dealer. While on patrol in March 2008, Lee made a traffic stop for unsafe equipment and saw a resemblance to descriptions of a suspected “ice” dealer and his vehicle. After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, police recovered 89.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

The driver was arrested on numerous state charges. Police later learned that the man was on federal probation and the case was adopted for federal prosecution.

Lee was named “Officer of the Month” in December 2008 for the same incident.

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee is an organization that encourages community involvement in aiding and supporting police in West Hawaii.