Services set for April 14 for late MPD Chief Tagomori
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The Maui News
Services will be held next month for former Maui Police Department Chief Howard Tagomori, who died March 3, the department announced Thursday.
A 1958 Baldwin High School graduate, Tagomori served three years in the U.S. Army after graduation before beginning his 35-year career in county law enforcement, according to MPD.
He started out at the Honolulu Police Department in 1963 before returning to Maui in 1969 to work for MPD. In 1971, in addition to being promoted to sergeant, he served as one of the founding members that initiated a union to represent local police officers, resulting in the creation of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, also known as SHOPO. Tagomori served as a statewide board member at-large.
In 1975, Tagomori was named Maui County Police Officer of the Year, and in 1976 he was promoted to lieutenant and served as the commander of the Vice Narcotics Division. The following year, he was promoted to captain and served in the Molokai and Lahaina Patrol Districts. During his tenure as a commander, he graduated from the FBI National Academy's 95th session.
In 1981, Tagomori was promoted to deputy chief, and from 1983 to 1984 served as president of the FBI National Academy Hawaii Chapter.
He was appointed chief of police in 1988 and oversaw many department changes and accomplishments, including the creation of the Special Response Team in 1992, the transition of department-issued firearms from revolvers to Glock semi-automatic pistols in 1995 and becoming the first police department in Hawaii to earn national accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies in 1996.
"Throughout his decade-long tenure, Chief Tagomori's efforts focused on officer training, implementing life-saving defibrillators in patrol vehicles, and integrating community policing into many areas within the County of Maui," MPD said.
Tagomori retired from MPD in 1998, and days later was appointed by then-President Bill Clinton to serve as the U.S. marshal for the District of Hawaii from 1998 to 2002.
He then served as the assistant federal security director of inspections for the Transportation Security Administration from 2002 to 2008.
In 2014, Tagomori received the Hawaii State Law Enforcement Officials Association "Hui Kahi No Ka Pono" United for Justice Lokahi (Unity) Perpetual Award.
"A true professional and devoted public servant, Chief Tagomori is remembered for his humor, progressive vision, and the love he had for his family, friends, and the community he proudly served," MPD said Thursday.
"The Maui Police Department shares its deepest condolences to Chief Tagomori's wife, Lorraine, son Honolulu Police Officer Reid Tagomori, daughter Kris (Scott) Fujikawa, and grandchildren Brayden Tagomori and Emi and Mika Fujikawa."
Services are set for April 14 at Kahului Union Church. Viewing is from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and the service is from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The burial will follow services at Maui Veterans Cemetery.