Noel Melchor attended graduation ceremonies with his fellow members of the Kaua‘i Police Department 74th recruit class last week. This week, he left to join other members of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s Company A, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment,
Noel Melchor attended graduation ceremonies with his fellow members of the Kaua‘i Police Department 74th recruit class last week.
This week, he left to join other members of the Hawaii Army National Guard’s Company A, 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry Regiment, at Schofield Barracks on O‘ahu, eventually bound for the Mainland for more training before deploying for Iraq to serve his county, state and country in the war on terror early next year.
So the officer shortage at KPD went down by nine officers for a short time, and then got shorter again upon Melchor’s departure earlier this week.
He received a special extension from Hawaii Army National Guard superiors to remain on Kaua‘i and fulfill his requirements to graduate with his KPD recruit class. Then it was off to soldier training.
The other members of the 74th recruit class include the first new female police officer in some time, Lydia Casillas. Other members of the class are Allan Andres, Lucas Hamberg, David Banquel, Douglas Alvarez, Randall Nero, Warren Tavares and Steven Vinzant.
They wanted Melchor’s family to know that he and they are in their prayers.
Graduation ceremonies were held at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club in Nawiliwili.
Hamberg was the recruit speaker at the event, giving insights into the personalities of his fellow new officers, most of whom went to work on patrol the day after their graduation.
Acting Assistant Chief Fred DeBusca Jr. also spoke at the graduation.
Outstanding recruits were given awards in various categories: Alvarez, firearms; Hamberg, self-defense tactics; Casillas, notebook; Andres, physical fitness training; and Banquel, report-writing.
