The Kona Crime Prevention Committee saluted Kona patrol Officer Darren Cho as Officer of the Month for July during a luncheon ceremony Wednesday at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.
The Kona Crime Prevention Committee saluted Kona patrol Officer Darren Cho as Officer of the Month for July during a luncheon ceremony Wednesday at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.
Cho was honored for using his community contacts to help identify and locate suspects in a deliberately set fire at the Big Island Drug Court building.
During his investigation, Cho obtained a tip about a male suspect’s identity and learned a pickup truck the man used during the incident might be near Hookena Beach Park. Cho located the abandoned truck in a heavily overgrown pasture in the area and determined it was reported stolen.
Further investigation led to the identities of a key witness and a female accomplice. Both suspects were arrested and charged with first-degree arson, first-degree conspiracy to commit arson and criminal property damage. The male suspect also was charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.
Detective Walter Ah Mow, who nominated Cho for the honor, said the officer is a “seasoned veteran” with 11 years of service.
“Officer Cho’s experience as an officer and his relationship within the community he serves, combined with his own self-motivation and professionalism, have resulted in the apprehension of criminal offenders, recovery of stolen property and the continued safety of our communities,” Ah Mow wrote in nomination papers.
Cho was previously named Officer of the Month in December 2011, May 2012 and July 2015.