South Hilo patrol officer honored

The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii honored South Hilo Patrol Officer Thomas Chun-Ming on Thursday as the East Hawaii Officer of the Month for April.

On March 27, Chun-Ming was patrolling the Honomu area after a recent increase in property crimes when he received information about a suspicious vehicle in the garage of a vacant home. Upon further investigation, Chun-Ming arrested a male and female for criminal trespass.

Later that same evening, while supplementing another shift, Chun-Ming observed a pickup truck without a safety inspection sticker on the rear bumper. Further investigation led to the arrest of two men on various drug charges.

On March 28, Chun-Ming spotted a vehicle that recently was reported stolen traveling in the opposite direction of him on Highway 19, leading to the arrest of two males.

Chun-Ming was nominated for the award by Sgt. BJ Duarte, who said the officer “demonstrates on a daily basis his attention to detail, superb investigative skills, his dedication to duty and his proactive approach to police work.”