8-20-24 Three Officers Honored by Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i

Hawai‘i Police Department
Office of the Chief
Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz
Phone: (808) 961-2244

Media Release

Three Hawai‘i Police Department officers were honored for their outstanding investigations and professionalism by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i in the second quarter of 2024. All three officers were honored during a luncheon in Hilo on July 25, 2024. Officer Sheldon Adviento was honored as Officer of the Month for April 2024, Officer Edward Petrie for May 2024, and Officer Sybastian Keltner for June 2024.

April 2024: Hilo Patrol Officer Sheldon Adviento

Officer Adviento was recognized for his exceptional efforts in two separate financial investigations that disrupted a network of criminal activity. A nine-year veteran of the department assigned to Hilo Patrol, Officer Adviento went above and beyond conducting an in-depth investigation over the course of several months, culminating with the arrests of three suspects and arrest warrants issued for twoother suspects.

In February 2024, Officer Adviento responded to a call at a grocery store where he learned that four individuals cashed five checks totaling $3,445. Working with store staff and security, Officer Adviento was able to identify all four suspects. He meticulously followed-up at various financial institutions, combing through bank records, coordinating and conducting interviews with multiple witnesses and store employees.

As part of the investigation, a detective with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section secured arrest warrants for all four suspects. In April 2024, two of the suspects were arrested and charged under the strength of the warrants with the primary suspect also arrested and charged for outstanding bench warrants and drug offenses with bail totaling $58,200. The two remaining suspects are still being sought.

Also in February 2024, Officer Adviento was assigned to a forgery/theft case in which a credit union reported that 10 checks totaling $11,000 had been cashed without authorization at another financial institution. In the course of investigation, he learned that a box of checks had been stolen from the mailbox of an elderly woman in January 2024. Officer Adviento conducted extensive follow-ups, including evidence recovery and handwriting examples to exclude innocent associations. After completing the preliminary investigation, the case was routed to the Area I Criminal Investigation Section. In April 2024, the suspect was arrested and charged for multiple financial crimes with bail set at $8,000.

The degree of detail that Officer Adviento showed in these investigations is typically reserved for a detective in an investigative section. Known for his calm attitude and passion for the job, Officer Adviento is well regarded by his peers. This is his third Officer of the Month award, having previously received it in November 2020 and December 2023.

May 2024: Puna Patrol Officer Edward Petrie

Officer Petrie was recognized for his excellent performance apprehending a male suspect wanted on an arrest warrant, which led to the recovery of drugs, drug paraphernalia, ammunition, and a firearm.

While actively patrolling the Puna district around 1:00 a.m. on May 14, 2024, Officer Petrie observed a vehicle parked at a convenience store in Kurtistown that matched the description of a vehicle recently reported to be affiliated with a man wanted on an arrest warrant. Upon seeing the vehicle, Officer Petrie acted quickly placing himself in a position where he could peer into the store and determine if the suspect was inside.

Officer Petrie was able to take the man into custody without incident. After arresting the man, he looked into the vehicle and saw unspent ammunition and drug paraphernalia. He subsequently also arrested the man for third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and place to keep ammunition.

As part of the investigation, the Area I Vice Section executed a search warrant on the vehicle and recovered:

• a handgun missing serial numbers (commonly called a “ghost gun”)
• 11 rounds of unspent ammunition
• 1 spent casing
• about 19 grams of methamphetamine
• 5 fentanyl pills
• 0.39 grams of heroin

Officer Petrie’s diligence and attention to detail removed a gun from the hands of a felon who was prohibited by law from possessing firearms and took drugs off of the streets.

“It’s a well-deserved award for Officer Petrie,” said Puna Patrol Sergeant Jason Foxworthy who nominated him. “In the two-and-a-half years he has been with the department, Officer Petrie has earned a reputation as a hard-working, pro-active officer respected by supervisors and peers alike. He takes pride in his investigations and gives his best effort helping colleagues as well.” This is Officer Petrie’s first Officer of the Month award.

June 2024: Puna Patrol Officer Sybastian Keltner

Officer Keltner was recognized for demonstrating remarkable investigative prowess following a domestic violence incident that resulted in the suspect charged with multiple felony offenses and led to the removal of a victim from an abusive situation, ensuring her safety.

In June 2024, Officer Keltner responded to a domestic dispute in Pāhoa in which a female was heard yelling and household items were being thrown. Quickly taking control and assessing the situation, Officer Keltner apprehended the responsible individual.

He single-handedly conducted a thorough investigation, gathering comprehensive information to establish the elements of the crimes committed. Even after completing the preliminary on-scene investigation, Officer Keltner continued to work diligently to process the suspect and complete the investigation. He pursued charging the suspect, consulting with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and ensured the individual was charged with multiple felony offenses, with bail set at $114,500.

A seven-year veteran of Hawai‘i Police Department, this is the second time Officer Keltner has been honored as Officer of the Month having received the award previously in December 2022.

Every month the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i honors a police officer in East Hawaii as their officer of the month. Officers are nominated by their supervisors from the police districts in Area I, including Hāmākua, North Hilo, South Hilo, and Puna.