Big Island police officers receive awards

Hawaii County Police Department officers Joshua Gouveia and Garrett Hatada were both awarded the Police Cross on Friday by Chief Harry S. Kubojiri. The award is given to officers who receive life-threatening injuries as a result of hostile/adversary action while in the performance of official police duties.

Hawaii County Police Department officers Joshua Gouveia and Garrett Hatada were both awarded the Police Cross on Friday by Chief Harry S. Kubojiri. The award is given to officers who receive life-threatening injuries as a result of hostile/adversary action while in the performance of official police duties.

Gouveia and Hatada received the award after both suffering gunshot wounds in connection with a shooting incident Jan. 2 in Hilo. About 7:45 p.m., police responded to a report of several gunshots fired in the area of Kilauea Avenue near the Wailoa River. At approximately 8:52 p.m., while checking parked vehicles in the area, officers observed a man hiding under one of the vehicles. Upon approaching him, Gouveia and Hatada were fired upon and suffered gunshot injuries. One of the officers was able to return fire.

The suspect, 31-year-old Keaka D. Martin of Hilo, fled the area on foot and was captured the next day, according to the department. He was charged Jan. 4 two counts of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree reckless endangering, place to keep a firearm, possessing a loaded firearm on a highway, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, ownership/possession of a firearm prohibited, and altering the identification markings on a firearm.

During the presentation of the awards, Kubujiri commended both men. He noted how Gouveia’s first thoughts after getting shot was concern for the safety of his fellow officers and how Hatada fired at the asasilent in protection of others and did not mention his wounds until several minutes later.