In the line of duty

The community joins police in saluting a fallen colleague

In a photo collection, Honolulu police officer Steve Favela's love of family and sports were apparent. Also easily apparent from his funeral yesterday was that Favela loved public service, and fellow public servants loved him.

COURTESY PHOTO Steve Favela, 30, also served in the Coast Guard Reserve and Air National Guard.

Favela, a 30-year-old father of four, served in the Air National Guard, as well as with the Coast Guard Reserve's Maritime Safety and Security Team, which he joined after the911 terrorist attacks.

"We appreciate the fact you shared him with us," Cmdr. Tom MacDonald of the U.S. Coast Guard told Favela's family and a crowd of more than 500, including many Honolulu Police Department officers and employees. "We know he represented the best of Honolulu's finest. ... We will always carry a part of Steve with us."

Favela was injured while he was part of the motorcycle escort for President Bush's motorcade on Nov. 21. He died five days later in spite of intensive efforts to save him, including the amputation of one of his legs and community blood drives.

Yesterday's services at the Borthwick Mortuary downtown also were attended by two Bush administration representatives -- U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne -- as well as Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan and city and state government officials.

Sullivan said he was "humbled" by the outpouring of support for Favela's family, and that Favela's spirit has enriched the lives of everyone at the Secret Service.

Police Chief Boisse Correa thanked the public for their support on behalf of the Favela family and the police department.

"A lot of us are cried out, the tears are drying up because we've been crying all morning," Correa said.

Police Sgt. Grant Moniz, Favela's cousin and also a member of the bike patrol, said he regretted not having the chance to work with Favela extensively.

"He would be someone you would want to bring home," Moniz said of Favela. "I was so looking forward to working with him, because he is blood."

Moniz said bike patrol may be the most dangerous job in the department when it comes to day-to-day work.

"You get on the bike, and anything can happen," Moniz said. "We all know that, we all understand that, but we just don't have any answers for the future."

Officer Ferdinand Tan graduated with Favela in their recruitment class eight years ago.

But their ties also go beyond the badge. They both were reservists for the Air National Guard, and joined the Coast Guard reserves together, galvanized by patriotism after the911 terrorist attacks.

"He loved his family and served his country well," Tan said, his voice wavering with emotion. "To be with him all this time ... he was a brother not just to me, but to everybody."

After the mortuary service, the funeral procession passed Honolulu police headquarters, where hundreds of officers and residents stood to pay tribute to the fallen officer.

The procession paused for a couple minutes before the officers saluted, and a conch shell was blown.

Sue Yamaguchi, wife of a Honolulu police officer, took time off from work to view the procession because her husband worked with Favela in HPD's traffic division.

"My husband took it hard. He's lost a lot of friends already (in the line of duty)," she said. "It's part of the healing process. It's important for the wives to be here and support their husbands."

Guy Kaulukukui took time off from City Hall to attend. "It's just to recognize the effort that they put into our day-to-day lives ... that's usually invisible to us," he said.

Girlie Tacazon, an administrative employee of Straub Clinic & Hospital, slipped out of the office with a co-worker to show support.

"It's just the way how it happened," she said. "Just to think the family is left behind with a 3-month-old kid, and especially since it's the holidays."

Tacazon watched the procession silently, with her hand covering her mouth.

"It was emotional," she said. "I was just thinking about the wife and the family."

Afterwards, officers dispersed, returning to their posts.

Karl Steininger, a 20-year veteran of the New York City Police Department and now an HPD officer for 2 1/2 years, said: "I've seen my share of funerals before. This one really touched me. The man did so much in his life. I wish I could have gotten to know him. He lived a great life."

The procession moved to Mililani Memorial Park and Mortuary in Waipio, where his body was greeted with salutes from the Air National Guard, Coast Guard, police and fire department.

Flower petals dropped from the sky, and his family released multicolored doves into the sky, including a red, white and blue formation. Bagpipes sounded "Amazing Grace" as he was laid to rest during the blustery afternoon.

Solo bike officers placed Favela's portrait on their windshields. Since 1923, 12 HPD solo bike officers, including Favela, have died while on duty.

Favela is survived by his wife, Barbara; a 5-year-old daughter; three sons, ages 7, 2 and 3 months; two brothers; and a sister.

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