Deputy Sheriff Daniel Browne-Sanchez gave his life while trying to protect others

"Hero."

The word was heard often yesterday during the funeral for Deputy Sheriff Daniel Martin Browne-Sanchez, who died trying to subdue a gunman at a Honolulu bar Feb. 10.

But many friends and co-workers who attended the services at Borthwick Mortuary downtown and later at Kewalo Basin also remembered him as a kindhearted, fun spirit who encouraged the people around him.

"Dan would always lighten the mood in the office. No matter how bad or miserable your day was, you can be assured that Dan would pick you up in typical Dan fashion," said Deputy Sheriff Andre Jackson, who delivered the eulogy.

More than 300 people including friends, family members, local dignitaries and the law enforcement community came to honor 27-year-old Browne-Sanchez. Attendees included Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo, Honolulu Deputy Police Chief Paul Putzulu and Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle.

Many law enforcement officials wore black bands across their badges to honor Browne-Sanchez, while some of his friends wore brown-colored shirts emblazoned with his nickname, "Dirty."

To anyone who knew him, Browne-Sanchez was a valued, treasured friend who always helped others, Jackson told the audience.

Indeed, Browne-Sanchez died trying to protect others.

In the early morning of Feb. 10, Browne-Sanchez, a five-year deputy sheriff with the state Sheriff Division, was fatally shot three times at Osake Sushi Bar & Lounge as he attempted to subdue a gunman who was allegedly holding bar workers at gunpoint in a robbery attempt.

"Daniel was truly a hero," Jackson said.

Browne-Sanchez worked at Osake Sushi Bar part time as a bar back. His slaying is the first to involve a deputy sheriff in Hawaii.

John K. Lorenzo Jr., 32, is being held in lieu of $5 million bail, charged with second-degree murder, first- and second-degree attempted murder, first-degree robbery, two counts of kidnapping and multiple firearm violations.

If Browne-Sanchez had not acted as he did, there would have been more funerals to attend, said Deputy Sheriff Johnnie Kukahiko.

He described Browne-Sanchez as an all-around good man who enjoyed riding motorcycles. He also called him a night owl because he would stay out until the "wee hours of the morning" and arrive late to work, Kukahiko remembered with a smile.

Colleagues said they continue to feel the pain over his death. "It's just been a blur," said Administrative Sgt. Shawn Tsuha.

Browne-Sanchez put others before himself, had a huge heart and cared for strangers, his friends said.

"He would do things for people he didn't even know," Tsuha said.

Kaipo Kauka, Browne-Sanchez's roommate and co-worker at Osake Sushi Bar, who also spoke during the service, described him as someone who had a tough exterior but a sensitive and caring nature. He was a perfect gentleman who had an endless supply of joy that was reflected in his smile, Kauka said.

Allan Deehr spoke on behalf of Browne-Sanchez's mother, Robina Browne, at the service.

"He not only was my son, he was a spiritual person to everyone who ever knew him," she said in a statement read by Deehr.

Following the service, solo bike officers temporarily shut down sections of Maunakea and Beretania streets as the funeral procession drove past the state Capitol.

Law enforcement vehicles escorted a gray car in which Browne-Sanchez's mother sat holding her only son's ashes.

The procession stopped for a moment in front of the state Capitol as rows of officials that included members of the Sheriff's Department, Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Fire Department and the Department of Land and Natural Resources stood in salute.

The service ended at Kewalo Basin where members of the Department of Public Safety's Honor Guard Unit fired a 21-gun salute.

Officials presented Browne-Sanchez's mother with the American and state flags. She wept as she carried his ashes aboard a law enforcement boat.

Many who stood along the shoreline wiped away tears as they watched Browne-Sanchez's mother scatter her son's ashes in waters off Kewalo Basin.

Then officials in a Drug Enforcement Agency helicopter dropped flower petals while some of Browne-Sanchez's friends dropped leis and petals into the ocean from the shoreline.

As many continue to grieve, his colleagues will remember how he confronted danger to protect others.

"That's what we do: We run toward the fight, not from the fight," Kukahiko said. "He went out fighting."