Officer Thad Fumio Sugai, Hawaii Department of Public Safety

Officer Thad Fumio Sugai

Hawaii Department of Public Safety - State Security Division, Hawaii

End of Watch Tuesday, December 20, 1983

Thad Fumio Sugai

Officer Thad Sugai was shot and killed with his own service weapon when he confronted a naked man who was harassing visitors to Diamond Head Crater.

Hiker's in the crater had advised police that the man, who they believed was high on drugs, was throwing rocks at them and had also been seen jumping on the hoods of cars in the parking lot. The suspect then appeared inside of secured Hawaii National Guard facility inside of the crater. When Officer Sugai drove up to the man he was immediately attacked. The suspect was able to drag Officer Sugai out of his patrol truck, disarm him, and then shot him multiple times.

Another guard who arrived at the scene then shot and critically wounded the suspect. On October 4th, 1984, the suspect was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state department of health facility.

Officer Sugai had served with the Hawaii State Security Division for one year. He was survived by his parents and sister.

Bio

Age 26
Tour 1 year
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Shot and wounded

EDP, suspicious person

Most Recent Reflection

View all 15 Reflections

I knew Thad Sugai when we served as Adult Corrections Officers at the State Prison....he told me he applied for a position as a State Security Officer and had been hired....later on I was shocked to learn that he was killed in the line of duty...my condolences to his family and friends....he was a good officer and a fine person.....

Retired Officer Lawrence Ching
Corrections State of Hawaii

October 23, 2016