HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Maui Police Department is still mourning the loss of fallen officer Suzanne O, who was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 15.
“There are no winners in most critical incidents. We have a family, a partner, a department and a community mourning the loss,” Maui Police Department Chief John Pelletier said.
Officer O was fatally injured while responding to an in-progress terroristic threatening incident at the Paia Sugar Mill.
Officials said the suspect was out in the field hunting criminally and illegally trespassing when he shot and killed Officer O. Officers returned fire.
On Thursday, Aug. 21, Chief Pelletier held a press conference to highlight the dangers of the police officer’s job and share more details about the incident.
Police revealed the body cam footage, showing the area where the shooting took place and the concrete pillar the suspect was apparently hiding behind when Officer O and other responding officers arrived.
Officials said Officer O was wearing a protective vest, but the bullet that hit her went in under her vest on the left side of her chest.
“You saw an officer rescued by members of her team. You saw an officer act and use the force necessary to stop and incapacitate the threat,” Chief Pelletier said. “You witnessed an absolute show of restraint by placing that suspect in custody so that they can stand trial.”
“A police officer’s response is dictated by the suspect’s actions. The suspect put officers into a deadly force situation with no choice but to act. A police officer’s response is dictated by the suspect’s actions. The suspect put officers into a deadly force situation with NO choice but to act,” Chief Pelletier said. “We make split-second decisions in a dynamic, rapidly involving incidents and this incident demonstrates the very real dangers of the police profession.”
The suspect in the shooting, Clembert Kaneholani, was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder. His preliminary hearing was held on Aug. 20, which included heartwrenching testimony from a fellow officer who was there when Officer O was shot and saw her go down.
“Trust and legitimacy are established by transparency,” Chief Pelletier said. “Never in over a quarter century have I witnessed a more transparent situation than a police officer approximately 100 hours after a shooting, testifying publicly in court on the details of that shooting.”
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In the meantime, the community continues to show support for the fallen officer as the memorial on Officer O’s squad car outside the police station keeps growing.
Details of the funeral services are still pending. However, a candlelight vigil is planned to be held at the memorial starting 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 22. The public is invited to attend.