WAILUKU, Maui (KHON2) — The Maui community is mourning the loss of Officer Suzanne O, who was gunned down in the line of duty on Friday, Aug. 15.
Her police vehicle — now a memorial covered in flowers — stands as a tribute to her service.
Officer O’s patrol vehicle is draped in flowers and lei at the Wailuku police station as a heartfelt tribute to the five-year veteran of the Maui Police Department.
A friend who saw Officer O twice a week at King’s Maui Church tells me her radiant soul and brilliant smile will never be forgotten.
“Her personality. Her, just her words itself. She’s sweet. She’s kind, but she would light up the whole dark room,” said Sierra Kuanoni. “She was so compassionate.”
Officer O was shot and succumbed to her injuries after responding to a terroristic threatening call in Paia on Friday. Kuanoni visited her growing memorial on Saturday at the Wailuku station and is still struggling to accept the loss of her dear friend.
“And then I just, I couldn’t believe she was actually gone, ‘Really?’ Like, for the kindest person. She is the sweetest person, like she served the community really well, like let me tell you,” Kuanoni said.
“And so right now it’s parked out front,” said Maui Police Department Honor Guard Sgt. James Terry. “And people can come pay respects, leave flowers, leave leis, you know, and pay a solemn, quiet remembrance of her in front.”
A member of Maui police’s Honor Guard, O was recently selected to fulfill a dream of learning more about caring for a family who lost a loved one in the line of duty.
“She was just selected to go to Texas for the National Honor Guard Academy. And she was excited and looking forward for that. Unfortunately, that won’t happen,” he said. “Anyone that knew Suzanne knew that the smile that you received was genuine. Because it wasn’t just the mouth. You could see the smile in the eyes and you know that it’s a true smile when the eyes reflect that.”
It is a challenging time for those who knew and loved Officer O, but her lei and flower-draped car stands as a symbol of a life dedicated to her community, who will remain Maui Strong.
Nick Krau, KHOPO Maui Chapter Chair, provided a statement on Officer O’s death:
“We mourn our sister, Suzanne. She lived her life as a protector, standing watch over our community with courage, honor, and love. She died a hero, sacrificing herself for the people of Maui.
Her life was stolen by the act of a coward, a murderer. His actions will not define this tragedy; Suzanne’s life of service will. We will remember her as a hero, the heart she carried, and the life she gave without hesitation. Everything we do from this day forward will be to honor her legacy.
The people of Maui lost a protector; we lost our sister. We ask that the community please never forget the hero Suzanne was, her life of service to others, or her smile—a reflection of the loving heart she carried. We will honor her and carry her memory with us, always.”