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Cho is West Hawaii’s Officer of the Month for July

MEDIA RELEASE

Officer Darren Cho

Officer Darren Cho

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Kona Patrol Officer Darren Cho as “Officer of the Month” for July in a luncheon ceremony Wednesday (July 6) 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 Big Island Drug Court.

During his investigation, Cho obtained a tip about a male suspect’s identity and learned that a pickup truck the man had used during the incident might be near Hoʻokena Beach Park. Cho located the abandoned truck in a heavily overgrown pasture in the area and determined that it had been 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 was also charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

Detective Walter Ah Mow, who nominated Cho for the honor, noted that 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 of 2011, May of 2012 and July of 2015. As “Officer of the Month” again, he is eligible for “Officer of the Year.”

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

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