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

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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

suspicious person, EDP

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Thad, it must have been so hard to leave your family at such a young age. I can imagine that you fought as hard as you could to stay alive but God had different plans for you. As I read through these tributes to you, I now understand what my friend, your sister, Lois has gone through. She told me how her brother Thad had been taken from her at such a young age. But I understand how each time there is a fallen officer, she relives the trauma of how her brother, her protector was taken from her family. Everyday, I'm sure she was reminded that you were gone. Caring for her both her mother and father in there later year, she missed having a partner to share tough moments and good memories.
Please if you can visit her in her dreams and let her know how proud you are of her... she'll always be a caregiver ... remind her to take care of herself and that there are people that care for her too. And to reach out to them.

Lisa Kawamoto, Civilian
Family friend

March 18, 2025