Whatever
Happened To...
Ex-Big Island
police chief back in
investigative workQuestion: What ever happened to former Hawaii County Police Chief Victor Vierra?
Answer: Vierra, who was police chief on the Big Island for five years before retiring in 1994, has returned to investigative work.
Vierra, 58, opened a private investigation service, Victor V. Vierra & Associates, last year in Hilo.
When he first retired, Vierra became a radio disc jockey for an afternoon music program on KIPA radio. He worked there for six years but quit to became a private investigator because "I needed something more challenging," he said.
Vierra said his detective work involves investigation of workers' compensation abuse.
Vierra came to the Big Island from the Honolulu Police Department in 1989. During his administration, the Police Department came under fire for the handling of two murder cases.
Critics charged that he was not doing enough to solve the murder of visitor Dana Ireland, who was killed on Christmas Eve 1991. The next year, critics charged that the department was covering up police Sgt. Kenneth Mathison's murder of his wife.
Vierra said he finds himself wanting to comment on police matters, which he did occasionally when he was on the air. He still wants to comment, he said, but tells himself, "I'm just an average, everyday Joe right now. Your opinion doesn't count that much."
Vierra is a lifelong singer and guitar player and still emcees events for senior citizens.
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