Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Ronald Jitchaku was killed when he hit his head on the pavement as he and six other officers were breaking up what was described as a mini riot. More than 200 people had gathered on Banyan Drive, in Hilo, after attending a nearby rock concert. When a fight between four men started, several others attacked Officer Jitchaku and the other officers as they tried to stop the fight. After the disturbance was under control, there was so much confusion that the other officers thought Officer Jitchaku was unconscious a result of a heart attack. After Officer Jitchaku died in a hospital a few hours later the medical examiner determined he died from a head injury. An investigation revealed he had been punched in the face and fell backwards hitting the back of his head on the pavement.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-HI-A7140223- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Jitchaku gave the Hawai'i County Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Hilo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Jitchaku.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Ronald Shigeru Jitchaku is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In HI, 31 of 64 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.4% of this state's fallen. That is 5.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hawai'i County Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald Shigeru Jitchaku's cause is highlighted.
How Ronald Shigeru Jitchaku Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1996
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald Shigeru Jitchaku is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald Shigeru Jitchaku was killed by not available.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Hawai'i County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
