Fund-raiser helps An estimated $15,000 was raised last night at a $100-per-head fund-raiser for the family of slain Honolulu police officer Glen Gaspar.
Gaspar family
About $15,000 is raised for the
daughters of the slain HPD officerBy Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.comDetective Ted Coons said Gaspar's death, "hits close to home," since his daughter is the same age as Gaspar's younger daughter.
"Policemen give up a lot of family time," he said. "Obviously, Glen gave up a lot more," said Coons, his eyes filling with tears.
The 38-year-old plainclothes officer was shot to death March 4 while trying to arrest attempted murder suspect Shane Mark at the Kapolei Baskin-Robbins store. An Oahu grand jury indicted Mark, 28, for first degree murder in the case.
"Honolulu lost a hero," said Detective Tim Walsh, who worked with Gaspar on patrol in Palolo Valley six years ago when he arrived from Boston.
Walsh, who retains his Boston accent, said Gaspar "was the interpreter for me with the people at Palolo housing. He always treated me like one of the guys," said Walsh.
Many who attended the fund-raiser were fellow police officers, while others like Bob and Betty Murphy just "wanted to pitch in."
"We saw it in the paper and we knew we ought to do it," said Betty Murphy.
Puna Chillingworth, who volunteered to serve food, said: "Our family's always felt a special relationship with public safety officers," adding that his uncle Henry, a policeman, was killed in the line of duty in the 1930s.
The event, at Murphy's Bar & Grill, featured food donated by bar owner Don Murphy and some suppliers. Murphy's full-time employees donated their time, and friends volunteered. Several businesses donated door prizes and printing services.
Gaspar's parents, Evangeline and Gilbert Gaspar Sr., brothers Gilbert Jr. and Greig attended the event.
"My family is overwhelmed with the support," said Gilbert Gaspar Jr.
The 52-year-old Kona police detective said his brother loved his job and was proud of what he did.
It wasn't until Glen became a police officer that Gilbert Jr. said he really got to know his brother, 14 years his junior.
Gaspar acknowledged the danger of their profession and said it takes a special kind of person to be a police officer, to face death and take "static from the public."
"We just take a little more comfort knowing he died fighting, going down and doing his job; and he probably saved lives," he said. "It comes with the turf. Our family basically sees him as a hero."
Greig Gaspar said the family is taking steps to secure his nieces' future since his brother died without a will.
All proceeds of fund-raiser will go into a fund for the educational expenses of Gaspar's daughters, Taysia, 11, and Kiana, 13.
The girls have been accepted by Kamehameha Schools, their father's alma mater, Greig Gaspar said.