PUHI — Ten graduates of the 87th Police Recruit Class were sworn in by Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry on Thursday. Perry welcomed the new officers into a profession where the face of law enforcment is changing dramatically. The officers
PUHI — Ten graduates of the 87th Police Recruit Class were sworn in by Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry on Thursday.
Perry welcomed the new officers into a profession where the face of law enforcment is changing dramatically. The officers accepted their badges from Perry, Kauai Police Commission Chair Charles Iona, and Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi before a crowd of several hundred people at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center.
“This is a brand new day,” Iona said. “The months it has taken to get to this point speaks volumes of your desire to be police officers. There are challenges ahead, but everything will be OK because the people of Kauai believe in the police department.”
Kalani Apilado, born and raised on Kauai, grew up with his grandparents, Patrick and Carol Apilado, and graduated from Waimea High School in 2009. He was recognized as the Most Outstanding Recruit after being named one of two officers who were the most physically fit in the class. He was invited to compete in Arizona for the Best Warrior competition where he finished fourth.
Ashley Carillo was the second officer named most physically fit, being named the Best Female Power Lifter during the Kauai Classic held earlier in the year. During her trip to the announcement, Carillo set two state records, one in dead lift and the other in squats. She was born and raised on Oahu, graduated from Waialua High School in 2008 and earned her associate’s degree in criminal justice from the Chaminade University.
Anthony Honorato was named Best in Marksmanship for the class. He was born and raised on Kauai, graduated from Kauai High School in 2004 and earned his associates degree in liberal arts from the Kauai Community College.
“We have to come and support,” said Jacob “Smiley” Punzal of Auright Fitness. “Anthony and Kalani both come to train at our facility. We needed to be here.”
Bobilee Silva, born and raised on Kauai and graduating from Waimea High School in 2000, said she remembers the night the class became ohana after becoming the first class to qualify with high scores in night firing.
“I cannot believe I was chosen to be part of the 87th Recruit Class,” Silva said. “I was chosen to be part of the 85th Recruit Class but had to leave to have my son. The 87th Recruit Class is made up of a variety of people ranging from an individual with 14 years of police experience to an active military officer. But we had one thing in common. We trained under the theme of one team, one dream.”
Kevin Gras was born in Seal Beach, California, graduating from Los Alamitos High School in 2009 and earning his associates degree in Fire Science from Santa Ana College.
Derrick Kelley was born and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania, graduating from Trinity High School and served 17 years in the United States Army during which time he has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Stacy Lockhard was born in Washington state and raised in Hamilton, Montana where he graduated from Hamilton High School. Prior to joining the Kauai police department, he owned and operated his own construction business for several years.
Scott Logue was born and raised in Grants Pass, Oregon, graudating from Grants Pass High School. He went on to Southern Oregon University where he played basketball before earning his bachelor of science degree in criminology.
Eric Ogihara was born and raised on Kauai, graduating from Kauai High School and continuing on to the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Ariel Ramos was born on Kauai and moved to Oahu where she graduated from the Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama campus in 2009. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
