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Thad Fumio Sugai
Incident
Officer Thad Sugai was shot and killed with his own service weapon when he confronted a naked man who was harassing visitors to Diamond Head Crater. Hiker's in the crater had advised police that the man, who they believed was high on drugs, was throwing rocks at them and had also been seen jumping on the hoods of cars in the parking lot. The suspect then appeared inside of secured Hawaii National Guard facility inside of the crater. When Officer Sugai drove up to the man he was immediately attacked. The suspect was able to drag Officer Sugai out of his patrol truck, disarm him, and then shot him multiple times. Another guard who arrived at the scene then shot and critically wounded the suspect. On October 4th, 1984, the suspect was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state department of health facility. Officer Sugai had served with the Hawaii State Security Division for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Officer Sugai gave the Hawaii Department of Public Safety 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Hawaii. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Sugai.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Thad is the only officer of Hawaii Department of Public Safety - State Security Division remembered here.
Thad is one of 32 officers killed feloniously in HI, 49.2% of the 65 remembered there.
Thad is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thad is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 1 officer in HI was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1963, with 2.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thad was 26. Of the 31 killed feloniously in HI whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 47; the middle age was 40. Thad had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thad was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thad had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thad was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thad had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.5% of these deaths in HI; November holds the most, 12.5%. Tuesdays: 12.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hawaii Department of Public Safety - State Security Division. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49.2% of all 65 deaths in HI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Hawaii Department of Public Safety - State Security Division are honored on badge.nw.