Officer Manuel Dionizio Abreu

Manuel Dionizio Abreu

Officer Manuel Abreu was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a U.S. Army deserter who had sexually assaulted an 13-year-old girl.

Officers had received reports that the man was seen along the main road near Kuliouou. As Officer Abreau and several sheriff's deputies approached him the man opened fire without warning, striking Officer Abreau in the abdomen. Despite his wound, he and the deputies struggled with the subject and placed him into custody. Officer Abreu was transported to a local hospital where he died early the next morning.

The 19-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Less than a year later Governor Lucius Pinkham commuted his sentence to life.

Officer Abreu had served with the Honolulu Police Department for eight years and was assigned as the inspector of weights and measures. He was survived by his wife and five children.