Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

[Miulang]

Steven Favela, the 30 year old HNL Police Officer who was critically injured while in the motorcade escorting the President while he visited Honolulu last week, has died, according to a press release from the White House.

My sincerest condolences to his ohana and the Honolulu Police Dept. on the loss of this fine young man.

Miulang

[pzarquon]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

Auē. What sad news.

There was a report on KHON last night about how people came out to donate blood because of Favela's story. Even a tourist visiting from the East Coast. Here's hoping the goodwill he fostered can still do plenty of good, and ensure he's remembered well.

I'm sure he was honored to have that assignment on Tuesday. Condolences to the family.

[GeckoGeek]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

I don't know what else to say.

[Lei Liko]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

How very tragic. I did not know him or his family personally, but I prayed with the rest of the state for his recovery.

My condolences to the Favela family and the HPD Ohana. Officer Favela certainly touched many people in the community and brought out the good in them.

[damontucker]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

He is a hero and died in the line of duty.

This is big news and I hope that Lingle declares flags to be raised at half staff tomorow.

Heaven just became a better place.

[Lei Liko]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

It just made national news as well

I wonder what the President will do to honor him?

[WindwardOahuRN]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

Steven Favela, the 30 year old HNL Police Officer who was critically injured while in the motorcade escorting the President while he visited Honolulu last week, has died, according to a press release from the White House.

My sincerest condolences to his ohana and the Honolulu Police Dept. on the loss of this fine young man.

Miulang

Heartbreaking.

He was so very critical when he came in. Everyone prayed so hard that he would come through it.

Prayers to his family and loved ones.

[tutusue]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

Oh man...that breaks an already broken heart. How terribly, terribly sad. More prayers to his family.

[Glen Miyashiro]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

Very sad. My condolences to the family.

When the first reports on the accident were published, I seem to recall an HPD spokesman stating that the location "wasn't a regular roadway", or something to that effect, by way of explaining why the accident occurred. Has there been any additional information regarding the specific conditions (loose gravel? wet roads? mud?) that contributed? And who was it who decided that the presidential motorcade should take that particular route, and why?

Motorcycle police duty carries a certain degree of hazard by its very nature, but I still can't help wondering whether somebody higher up ignored the risks to the men on the ground and planned an unreasonably risky procedure in order to give the president what he wanted. I mean, it's not like this White House has never done that before.

[pzarquon]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

When the first reports on the accident were published, I seem to recall an HPD spokesman stating that the location "wasn't a regular roadway", or something to that effect, by way of explaining why the accident occurred.

I think that was this Star-Bulletin write-up, in which HPD spokesman Capt. Frank Fujii said, "The roadway that they were traveling was not the typical asphalt they travel on out there on the public roads." I thought it was curious, too. I'd imagine it's probably a higher grade of surface than the state and city uses, and could therefore have been more slick if wet.

The article, videos and photos from that day seem to suggest the accident happened around here, which is on base at Hickam and certainly seems to have been on a major thoroughfare (O'Malley Blvd.) on which anyone would travel to get to a nearby airfield. I don't think the route was anything unusual, but certainly the circumstances were, and I'm not sure how often HPD officers travel on base.

The article notes that they were going in excess of 40 m.p.h. That sure seems a bit zippy for a base road. I was just thinking last night, during a visit to Schofield, that accidents on base are probably unusual because 10 m.p.h. and 25 m.p.h. limits abound. I was relieved to be driving somewhere where speeds were so modest.

But a presidential visit is an unusual circumstance and definitely an important assignment. An accident is an accident, and this one was tragic.

[Miulang]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

Very sad. My condolences to the family.

When the first reports on the accident were published, I seem to recall an HPD spokesman stating that the location "wasn't a regular roadway", or something to that effect, by way of explaining why the accident occurred. Has there been any additional information regarding the specific conditions (loose gravel? wet roads? mud?) that contributed? And who was it who decided that the presidential motorcade should take that particular route, and why?

Motorcycle police duty carries a certain degree of hazard by its very nature, but I still can't help wondering whether somebody higher up ignored the risks to the men on the ground and planned an unreasonably risky procedure in order to give the president what he wanted. I mean, it's not like this White House has never done that before.

The motorcade had to travel from Hickam to the US Pacific Command HQ at Camp Smith. I don't know what roads you could take to get from Hickam to Camp Smith, but the Secret Service usually consults with the local police department on the most appropriate route. A couple of the stories about this accident indicated that the 3 officers all went down at approximately the same spot on a "rain slick" road.

Miulang

[tutusue]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

Glenn, I saw on the news last week when Chief Boise Correa mentioned that the cops assigned to the President that day 'rehearsed' for the motorcade as they're required to do. Chief Correa said the only thing they didn't do was rehearse in the rain. Still, the HPD motorcycle cops work in the rain all the time. So, yah, what was different about the Hickam road? It wasn't as if the motorcade was flying down the freeway.

Losing this officer in this way (in any way, really) is just so tragic. His youngest child is 3 months old.

[tutusue]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

[...] A couple of the stories about this accident indicated that the 3 officers all went down at approximately the same spot on a "rain slick" road.[...]

And another story mentioned that officers #2 and #3 went down avoiding officer #1. I wonder if we'll ever hear what really happened.

[lavagal]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

And the reality is a police motorcade for a president is all showmanship. I honestly do not see how a police motorcade is actually "protecting" the president. Sure, it might be an honor to escort the highest office around, but I doubt anyone expects they'll die doing it. The chances of a presidential motorcade being attacked? On a military base? Well, Secret Service would instantly react to that anyway, right? I am so sad for this young 30-year-old loving husband and father of four. It's more than a cop dying...it's a little society taking a hit here.

[poinographer]

Re: Motorcycle cop guarding Pres. dies

What a shocking, sad outcome. I wonder if the President will return to Hawaii for Officer Favela's memorial service.