Officer Chaves Honored By Kona Crime Prevention Committee

For his empathy, compassion, and dedication displayed pursuing a domestic violence investigation, Kona Patrol officer  Dylan Chaves was honored as Officer of the Month for March 2025 by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee (KCPC), during a ceremony in Kona on March 5, 2025.

On the afternoon of October 23, 2024, Officer Chaves was investigating an unrelated incident at a Kailua-Kona clothing store when he recognized a female patron as a domestic violence victim he had previously assisted in a case.

While exchanging pleasantries, Officer Chaves immediately noticed that the woman was distressed and had injuries on her face. His intuition told him the victim was in dire need of assistance and he inquired about her well-being. As the conversation continued, it became clear to Officer Chaves that the victim was convinced her abuser would know she spoke to the police and punish her. Officer Chaves implored the woman to make a formal report but she cut the interaction short when she noticed a family member.

However, Officer Chaves’ kind words resonated with the victim and she requested to meet with him later that evening. The woman recounted that in the preceding 24 hours her abuser had held her captive for several hours, terrorizing her by wielding a hammer and threatening to strike her with it. The victim went on to say that the suspect monitored her movements using her cellular phone, as well as via home surveillance cameras both inside and outside their residence. While Officer Chaves was interviewing the victim, he noted that the suspect tried calling her numerous times.

Officer Chaves coordinated with the County Prosecutor’s Office and the Area II Juvenile Aid Section to ensure they were informed of the incident and to provide services to the victim. Although the suspect proved elusive, Officer Chaves relentlessly tracked him down and was able to arrest the man who was charged with the following offenses:

• First-degree terroristic threatening
• Second-degree assault
• Two counts of abuse of a family or household member
• Kidnapping
• Violating the Terms and Conditions of release of bail

The suspect was initially remanded to the Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $326,000 bail. By virtue of the Prosecutor’s efforts, the suspect’s bail was revoked and he remains in custody pending his trial. Thanks to Officer Chaves’ dedication, empathy, and zeal, he was able to gain the victim’s trust and he potentially saved her from a toxic life-threatening relationship that was rapidly escalating.