Hawaii Police Department Capt. Rio Amon-Wilkins was honored with the Haweo award during a ceremony Nov. 1 at Hawaii County Council chambers in Hilo.
The award was presented by the council’s Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Committee, which recognizes police and fire department personnel who go above and beyond the call of duty. Haweo means to glow or to be radiant.
Amon-Wilkins, commander of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division, was presented with a lei and a certificate signed by each council member. His command includes the Juvenile Aid Section, Vice Section, Criminal Investigation Section and Crime Lab, totaling 35 employees.
He’s charged with investigating the most heinous of crimes, ranging from sex assault to murder.
Amon-Wilkins previously served as the lieutenant of CIS and Juvenile Aid Section, respectively, before being promoted to captain.
A 23-year veteran of the department, Amon-Wilkins has a reputation for quick responsiveness regardless of the time of day or night, his positive impact on criminal investigations, and the confidence he inspires in his subordinates.
On June 29, Amon-Wilkins was notified of a reported homicide in a lower Puna community. Even though the crime scene was more than 20 miles from his office, Amon-Wilkins was on scene within 30 minutes with his team, taking charge of the investigation and assigning personnel to interviews and evidence recovery.
While there, a witness provided information that led to the successful apprehension of a suspect, and Amon-Wilkins directly assisted in the arrest. His calm demeanor, experience and leadership at the scene directly resulted in the arrest and charging of the 33-year-old male suspect for murder.