The Kona Crime Prevention Committee saluted Officer Mike Thompson as Officer of the Month for May during a luncheon ceremony Wednesday at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.
The Kona Crime Prevention Committee saluted Officer Mike Thompson as Officer of the Month for May during a luncheon ceremony Wednesday at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.
Thompson was honored for an act of kindness his supervisor described as “far beyond compassion.”
On Dec. 19, 2015, an 88-year-old woman called 911 just after noon to report that Meals on Wheels missed a 9:30 a.m. delivery and she was hungry. Dispatchers attempted to contact the appropriate agency but were unable to reach anyone, so Thompson was assigned to check on the woman’s welfare and determine whether she needed medical attention.
On his way to the caller’s house, Thompson stopped at his own home and gathered food items from his pantry to share with her. He then went to her house and prepared her a meal.
“In a time when police officers are becoming increasingly hardened, a simple gesture of aloha reminds us all that police officers are people, too, caring people,” said Sgt. Grad Elarionoff, who nominated Thompson for the award. “I’m at a loss for words.”