Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rest easy brother.

Former Leo

April 3, 2024

Rest in peace Officer Sugai. Young and heroic. Mahalo.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 9, 2024

There was a job posting for a position that I had applied for and my finalist competitor was Thad Sugai. He got the job and I ended up being hired by another agency. A year later I learned of the incident that took Thad’s life. Approximately 20 years later I visited the law enforcement officers memorial in Washington DC. And etched in the wall was Thad Sugai’s name. Had it not been for Thad, it might have read my name instead. From that date on I made it my mission in life to make sure Thad’s sacrifice was not in vain. I served my country as a law enforcement officer for over 30 years and I continue to appreciate this gift of life Thad made possible.

Miles Tanabe
Kauai Police Department and Blue Knight Services Hawaii

January 28, 2024

I was there that day. Was going to walk the trail with cousin and young sister and aunt ad uncle and my parents. Saw the brawly naked Hawaiian man. Was in the lot he was damaging cars and then see him run to the young officer. All these years never knew any info on the officer or even how young he was. This is something i have never forgotten.

No rank
No agency

January 3, 2023

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice are always remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

December 20, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you Hero and your family for your courage, sacrifice and service. Always remembered.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

December 20, 2019

May the soul of Officer Thad Fumio Sugai forever rest in peace. Officer Sugai will never be forgotten.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired.
New York State Police

July 19, 2018

I knew Thad Sugai when we served as Adult Corrections Officers at the State Prison....he told me he applied for a position as a State Security Officer and had been hired....later on I was shocked to learn that he was killed in the line of duty...my condolences to his family and friends....he was a good officer and a fine person.....

Retired Officer Lawrence Ching
Corrections State of Hawaii

October 23, 2016

Your memory will live on forever. Thanks for serving and protecting the people of Hawaii. RIP my brother.

Sergeant Keola Tom
Maui Police Department

December 21, 2014

I was the first HPD officer on the scene and witnessed the murder of Thad. Unfortunately I was about 100 yards away in my vehicle when the shooting occurred and the second DOD officer shot the suspect.

My heartfelt sympathies go to Thad's family and friends. I wish I could have done more.

Retired Sergeant William Kelley
Honolulu Police Department

May 23, 2014

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

November 27, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Sugai. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

April 7, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 20, 2011

To those who have left your reflections and words of comfort and of exhortation for my family to read, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I did not know of this site prior to today and wish I had. My family feels so heartened that even after more than 25 years, you chose to remember my brother, Thad Fumio Sugai, through your written reflections. Someone even visited this site on Thad's 25th EOW anniversary! WOW!!

Although our grieving has ended, there is not a day that goes by that we don't think about Thad. And now, as my parents are in their sunset years, it is extremely heartening to us that Hawaii is planning on building a Hawaii Law Enforcement Memorial here in Honolulu. They are much too frail to visit the one in Washington DC, where Thad's name and memory are honored.

I pray that the Hawaii memorial is constructed and dedicated before my parents go home to the Lord. In this economy, the fundraising may be tricky so I'm trusting God for His will in the buliding of the Memorial.

God bless and keep you all, those who have written your reflections here and to those who will read this in the future. May God turn His face towards you, show you His favor, and bring you peace.

In God we stand,
The Family of Thad Fumio Sugai

Lois Sugai
Sister

June 5, 2011

Officer Sugai you are not forgotten. RIP

Det. Michael Kane
Boston Police Dept.

December 20, 2010

Officer Sugai,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Hawaii. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

December 20, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 11, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 10, 2007

Heroes and the sacrifices they make will never be forgotten.Officer Sugai, you are a true hero and you are not forgotten.

SPO
Salem, VA

February 12, 2007

"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded." -- Maya Angelou

Aloha Officer Thad Fumio Sugai,
Thank you for your service and dedication to your community and your country. You and all officers that continue to lay your lives on the line and pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities and country safe, will NEVER be forgotten.

I personally pledge, (after one of Hawaii's own, Honolulu Police Officer Steve Favela, lost his life in the line of duty protecting our Commander in Chief, President George W. Bush), to become a continuum of the "ODMP Light". That light is in the form of an ODMP tribute.

People from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, religion, profession, education, and geographical location can share here a word or two on behalf of each and every fallen officer.

Every fallen officer is an hero. The ODMP serves as a place where that continuum of "LIGHT" can be seen through and within, the heart and soul of each and every person who honors our fallen heroes with a reflection and/or tribute. As we say in Hawaii, we are `Ohana. We are family.

May God comfort the family and loved ones who have lost their beloved Thad. May God also comfort those who have lost a fellow officer and friend that can never be replaced in this lifetime.

I wish you peace and love beyond all understanding.
May you rest in peace Officer Thad Fumio Sugai. You are embraced as one of Hawaii's own with full honors of integrity, respect, and fairness as if you were a fallen officer today.

Me Ke Aloha Pumehana. Amen.

**I pray all find comfort in this Hawaiian prayer I leave you.**

THE PEACE OF " I "
KA MALUHIA O KA "I"

Peace be with you, All My Peace,
O ka Maluhia no me oe, Ku'u Maluhia a pau loa,

The Peace that is " I ", the Peace that is "I am".
Ka Maluhia o ka "I", owau no ka Maluhia,

The Peace for always, now and forever and evermore.
Ka Maluhia no na wa a pau, no ke'ia wa a mau a mau loa aku.

My Peace " I " give to you, My Peace " I " leave with you,
Ha'awi aku wau I ku'u Maluhia ia oe, waiho aku wau I ku'u Maluhia me oe,

Not the world's Peace, but, only My Peace,
The Peace of " I ".

A'ole ka Maluhia o ke ao aka, ka'u Maluhia wale no,
Ka Maluhia o ka "I".

Moana V.C. Molale (Private Citizen)
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island

January 5, 2007

When I review the reflections of our fallen Brothers and Sisters on this site, it reminds me of the daily lives they all had. When I noticed yours Thad I was somewhat sadden to see "Nothing" of what took you away from your loved ones, your family and your Brother and Sisters in arms. Just know this, as the years pass by OFFICER SUGAI you are in our hearts. God Bless You.

Officer
Omaha Police Dept. Ne

October 18, 2006

Perhaps your family and friends have not found this site….when they find it, they should see that your sacrifice has not gone without reflection…….

December 20, 2004