Officer Gusman Recognized as Kona Officer of the Month for Solving Fire Station Burglary

Patrol Officer Michael Gusman was honored as the Kona Crime Prevention Committee’s (KCPC) November Officer of the Month on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 for his investigative work that led to the arrest of a woman in connection with a burglary at a Hawaiʻi County fire station.

On Dec. 19, 2025, Officer Gusman responded to a report of a burglary at a county fire station, in which an unknown person had entered the station and stolen clothing and a wallet belonging to a firefighter during the early morning hours.

As part of his investigation, Officer Gusman checked nearby residences and businesses for potential leads. Surveillance footage from a neighboring church showed a woman walking into the fire station’s parking lot and toward the area where entry had been made.

Officer Gusman obtained a still image of the woman and shared it with other department personnel in an effort to identify her. After receiving information about her possible identity, he reviewed her social media profile and found a photograph showing her wearing the same shirt seen in the surveillance footage.

Officer Gusman contacted the woman, who voluntarily agreed to meet with him at the police station. After learning about the investigation, she confessed to entering the fire station and taking the items. She also disclosed that she still had some of the stolen property in her possession. She was subsequently arrested on burglary and theft charges.

On Jan. 30, 2026, Officer Gusman recovered some of the stolen property from the woman and arranged for its return to the fire station for the firefighter.

Officer Gusman’s persistence and attention to detail helped bring the investigation to a successful resolution. His willingness to follow up on leads, identify potential evidence, and pursue an opportunity to speak with the suspect demonstrated the importance of initiative and sound investigative judgment in police work.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department congratulates Officer Guzman on this recognition and thanks him for his dedication to serving the community and supporting fellow first responders.