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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.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hawai'i County Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Ronald is one of 32 officers killed feloniously in HI, 49.2% of the 65 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1990, 1 officer in HI was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1963, with 2.
In 1990, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1990, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ronald was 52. Of the 31 killed feloniously in HI whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 47; the middle age was 40. Ronald had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 52. 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. Ronald had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ronald had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 3.1% of these deaths in HI; November holds the most, 12.5%. Mondays: 18.8%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Hawai'i County Police Department. The weapon recorded was not available, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49.2% of all 65 deaths in HI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 6.3% 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 not available, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Hawai'i County Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Ronald among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Hawai'i County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
