Tom LaVenture The Garden Island LIHUE — The longest serving active duty officer at Kauai Police Department was honored for his 33 years of service as officer of the month on Friday. Det. James Kurasaki was at the Kauai Police Commission meeting where around 20 fellow officers and civilian staff from Investigative Services Bureau were present to honor the most senior member as he enters the last week of service to Kauai before retiring on Dec. 30. "He makes great chili," Chief of Police Darryl Perry said lightheartedly of Kirasaki as he presented him with employee of the month honors for December, also noting outstanding and exemplary service to the community. "He has the ability to conduct complete and detailed investigations and bring justice and closure to adult and juvenile victims, which is a true reflection of his commitment to the profession." Lt. Bryson Ponce nominated Kurasaki as his supervisor. As a detective he said Kurasaki has worked all kinds criminal cases from burglaries, to arson, thefts and forgeries, vehicles and break-ins and murders. "But Sgt. Kurasaki is best known as the pioneer of the sex assault investigations," Ponce said. "This is perhaps one of the most admirable and remarkable accomplishments in the history of Kauai Police Department." Kurasaki conduct detailed forensic interviews with children and adult victims, in addition to interviewing and obtaining confessions or admissions from perpetrators. He collected evince and could put complex cases together to aid the prosecution. "He has been outstanding throughout his career and made the island a safer place," Ponce said. Ponce noted that he was six years old when Kurasaki started with KPD on July 7, 1981. Over 33 years he served as a patrol officer, evidence custodian, patrol sergeant and detective. "As a patrol sergeant he was respected for his great attitude, guidance and mentorship," Ponce said. When Ponce joined the department, he said Kurasaki took him under his wing as taught him the ropes as a patrol officer and then an investigator. Kauai Police Commission Chair Charles Iona, said that Kurasaki can now look back and be proud of his accomplishments and know that the county appreciates the sacrifice of holidays and time with family to conduct police work at times of day and night. "The community owes a huge debt to you for your service to all of us," Iona said. "Going forward your life will be a little different and you can always know we are grateful to you and the Commission is always there for you." Commissioner Mary Hertog, who served as director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office for the Department of Defense until retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a Major General in 2012, said she appreciates how difficult a job it is to investigate sexual assaults day after day. "You have made such a positive impact on the community you can retire knowing that you did that and then groomed your replacement as your supervisor," Hertog said. County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said he and the deputy prosecutors would like to thank Kurasaki for his many years of tireless service to the community. "Detective Kurasaki is a skilled investigator who has enabled the successful prosecution of countless sex offenders and other serious criminals," Kollar said. "Thanks to his work, Kauai is a safer place."

• published: 26 Dec 2014
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