The Kona Crime Prevention Committee selected the 2023 Police Officer of the Year Wednesday at a luncheon at the Royal Kona Resort.
Detective Anson Caceres received the top honor for his investigative work in identifying a suspect in two Kona murders and two attempted murders in Hilo in May, 2022. Caceres distinguished himself from his peers by volunteering for the tedious task of reviewing and recovering limited video surveillance from cameras closest to the area of the crime. After countless days of reviewing the videos, he noted a peculiar reaction of a passerby the morning of the murder that occurred behind the Kona Post Office. He then began the painstaking process of breaking down recovered video into smaller sequences until the suspect could be seen walking toward the Old Industrial Area. By analyzing and piecing together the individual videos, he was able to follow the path of the subject, until he was able to get a clear image of the suspicious individual, later identified as Chito Asuncion. Asuncion pleaded guilty earlier this month to two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree assault.
Caceres was one of 11 Officer of the Month awardees considered for the yearly award. Each month, the Kona Crime Prevention Committee names an Officer of the Month from nominations submitted by the officers’ supervisors at an awards luncheon at Huggo’s.
Other officers nominated were Dallas Arce for identifying and arresting two theft suspects who broke into a vehicle at Kekaha Kai State Park on multiple theft-related charges; Eli Cayetano for his work in capturing three theft suspects and for separately tracking down and arresting two suspects on theft-related charges; Jason Cunefare for finding and arresting a suspect in felony theft-related charges; Alysa Gamache for identifying and arresting a suspect for numerous theft-related charges; Conrad Iranon for his work in arresting suspects involved in theft, drugs, and fraudulent credit card use; Kiley Loo for his overall skills in training new recruits and working on Impaired Driving cases; Curry McFadden for capturing a suspect involved in felony theft cases; Manuel Soares for proactively tracking down and arresting suspects in a stolen vehicle case and Elijah Won for apprehension of a federal fugitive.
“It is a privilege and honor to work here,” said Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz. “Our department is able to quickly identify suspects and take them into custody because of relationships with the community.”
He congratulated all of the nominees for going the extra mile and exceeding the community’s expectations.
“I am thankful to work with each and every one of you. Your hard work and dedication exemplify your dedication to preserving the spirit of Aloha,” he said.
Caceres said the award was unexpected.
“I am humbled and honored,” he said. “We don’t expect to win awards. We go out every day and do our job.”
Caceres was awarded a plaque, a hand-made koa pen, a First Responder quilt, various gift cards from local businesses, golf at Waikoloa Beach Resort and other assorted goodies.
Kona Crime Prevention Committee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with membership open to all. Its purpose is to honor and support the Hawaii County Police Department personnel and to encourage community involvement in aiding and supporting the department’s efforts to prevent crime, deter potential criminals, and enforce the law.
The monthly and annual luncheons are open to the public. New members of the KCPC are welcome; annual dues are $35 for individuals or families, and $50 for businesses. For information about KCPC, contact Board Member Kimi Hammonds, Kimi@kimihammonds.com or 808 987 8699.