Roy Hiram, a longtime Kauai police chief and a former candidate for Kauai mayor, died Tuesday after a long illness. He was 76.

Hiram was born on Feb. 4, 1932, in Honolulu and grew up in Haleiwa. He attended Kamehameha School, where he starred on the track team and the football team, both as a fullback-halfback and as a defensive back before graduating in 1950.

He continued playing football at San Jose State University, and joined the Santa Clara Police Department after graduating from college.

In 1972, he moved to Kauai to become the police chief, a position he held until his retirement in 1986.

Current Police Chief Darryl Perry, who was a patrol officer when Hiram was chief, said Hiram, one of the longest tenured chiefs in KPD history, was “;a very approachable, very supportive”; chief who was “;very well-respected.”;

Hiram was known for his “;support of the troops,”; the patrol officers, and often came to their aid, Perry added.

After retiring, Hiram ran unsuccessfully for Kauai mayor in 1986, losing to Tony Kunimura.

“;Roy was very competitive. He always wanted to win,”; said his high school friend, Terry Plunkett.

One problem for Hiram the candidate, Plunkett said, was that he was always a cop and often looked at potential voters with an eye of suspicion.

But, Plunkett added, “;He could do it all. He was always laughing, a very funny guy.”;

Many of his friends, and his daughter, Pono Hiram-Macdonald, said they remember his sense of humor the most.

“;He loved to talk,”; Hiram-Macdonald said. “;He was very generous, very tolerant. ... He could get along with anybody.”;

Hiram moved to Kailua in the late 1980s, where he built his home from scratch and became “;the best baby sitter for his grandchildren,”; his daughter added.

He was an avid sports fan and golfer, and he volunteered with the Aloha State Games, she said.

Hiram is proceeded in death by his first wife, Audrene, and survived by his second wife, Elza. He is also survived by his son, Gary, of Kailua, daughter, Hiram-Macdonald, and three grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements have not been set.