The Kings Maui Hula Ministry performs a hula to “He Will Carry You” during a memorial service for Maui Police Officer Suzanne O on Friday at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Photo courtesy Maui Police Department

Hundreds of officers from agencies across Maui County joined members of the community Friday inside the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater to pay their respect to Officer Suzanne O.

Officer O died Aug. 15, killed in the line of duty while responding to an emergency call about a man firing multiple gunshots at the caretaker of the old Paia Sugar Mill on Baldwin Avenue.

On Friday, people packed the Castle Theater to reflect on Officer O’s life, legacy and the love she shared with her family and friends, as well as the impact she had on the department and the Maui community. Choking back tears, the speakers focused on how they knew O, and they lamented the loss of such an amazing human being.

The memorial service began with a procession from Nakamura Mortuary to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Along the route, people lined the streets as a riderless horse served as a solemn reminder. Outside the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, officers and first responders from numerous state and federal agencies lined the road and stood at attention side-by-side along the entryway. A flag fixed to Maui Fire Department ladder trucks flew over the entrance.

Speaking at the memorial service, retired MPD Sgt. Kehau Medeiros said O was her best friend and her “bonus sister.”

Medeiros recalled first meeting Officer O when O transferred to the Wailuku Patrol District from Kihei. According to Medeiros, Officer O reminded Medeiros of herself when she was a young officer.

“On her first night with us, she chose the front row, righthand corner seat, and when called upon, she stood up in front of our watch and introduced herself,” Medeiros recalled. “‘Hi, I’m Suzanne O. Yes, just the letter O.’ She said where she was born and raised, her nationality and that she was here to learn.”

Those who knew Maui Police Officer Suzanne O spoke about the impact she had on them, the police department and the community during a public memorial service on Friday. Photo courtesy Maui Police Department

Officer O was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and Medeiros said they connected immediately as the two female officers built a deep, lasting friendship that felt more like they were sisters.

The two would often meet for coffee, grab snacks together on and off duty, talk with each other in the parking lot and over the phone for hours on end, and take girls’ trips together off island.

Medeiros also shared some behind-the-scenes insight into a now-viral YouTube video in which Officer O describes her reasons for joining the force and advocates for more women to become police officers. Medeiros explained that the video was created by her son as a senior project for the University of Hawaii.

“I had just taken over recruitment as a sergeant, and I wanted Suzanne to be the female face of the department,” Medeiros said. “It took a lot of convincing to get her to be on camera until I told her the video was a project for Noah. Her face brightened up, and without hesitation, she said, ‘Well, why didn’t you say that in the first place? I’ll do anything for that kid.”

Remembering how they made the video together — and the number of takes it took them — Medeiros smiled for a moment before the sadness came back into her voice.

“Our quality of friendship was beyond. We became best friends and agreed we were torn from the same cloth,” Medeiros said as she fought back tears. “We agreed we were each other’s ‘bonus sister.’ We called each other ‘bessie’ instead of ‘bestie,’ and had this goofy two-hand wave when we’d see each other in person or on FaceTime. We worked hard and we played harder.”

For Medeiros, it’s impossible for her to believe her best friend is gone.

“To even place your name alongside words like funeral, memorial, gone, grieving, burial, beloved, rest in peace — those words don’t belong together in my mind,” she said. “They don’t go together and they shouldn’t. The silence of your absence feels extra loud on days without you, without your goofy laughter, your smarmy smile, your infectious giggles and your loud-ass chee hoos. I guess I am being selfish for not wanting you to go.”

Medeiros said O will always be with her, as O remains with Medeiros in the way she thinks, laughs, dances, eats, prays and everything else she does.

“You will remain a part of me today, tomorrow and always,” Medeiros said. “You are stuck with me forever — no refunds, no returns. I love you.”

In one of the more emotional moments of the service, O’s niece Oleya told the audience about her “Auntie Suzanne,” who showed the young girl amazing love and generosity. Oleya also talked about how much she enjoyed time with her auntie and how badly she wants more.

“Promise you’ll always visit me in my dreams and please don’t forget about me,” Oleya said. “Thank you for loving me more than this world. I love and miss you forever, my favorite beautiful police officer.”

Maui Chief of Police John Pelletier told the audience Officer O’s life was cut too short, but during her time with MPD, she left an indelible mark on the department through her service, compassion and courage.

“She served with us for five years, bringing with her the values of family, faith and strength,” Pelletier said. “She was a proud member of the MPD Honor Guard, a symbol of respect and dignity, and today it is our turn to stand in honor of her.”

According to Pelletier, the small, quiet moments of kindness were what truly defined Officer O.

“She fed those who were hungry. She was kind to strangers. She showed patience and respect even on the hardest of calls,” he said. “These weren’t things she did for recognition or praise. These were simply who she was. Her compassion was intertwined in her service, and it touched lives in many ways we may never fully know.”

Near the end of the ceremony, Officer O was honored with a Final Salute from all sworn personnel in attendance, who slowly raised their right hands with fingers extended to the brims of their caps and held it for a long pause before bringing their hands back down to their side.

MPD chaplains Sean Housman and Jennifer Crouse provided the opening and closing prayers, and Chief Pelletier presented Officer O’s family with U.S. flags folded by the MPD Honor Guard. The Kings Maui Hula Ministry performed to the song, “He Will Carry You,” and MPD Dispatch played an “End of Watch” broadcast for Officer O.

Outside, the Hawaii National Guard provided a 21-gun salute and four helicopters — one with MPD decals and three from the Maui Fire Department — flew overhead in formation before releasing thousands of flower petals.

O was predeceased by her parents Jong and Suasua. She is survived by her sister Linda and brothers Tuiloli, Shen and Chellemine, as well as her boyfriend Officer Alex Pagan and his children Naheana, Xander and Kamiya.

Special T-shirts designed by the Maui Police Department are currently available for pre-sale. Proceeds from the T-shirts will go to benefit the Suzanne O Memorial Fund. For more, go to relentlessdefender.com/product/officer-suzanne-o/.

People can also contribute to help Officer O’s family and support her legacy by sending checks made payable to “The Suzanne O Memorial Fund” to Shen O, PO Box 331278, Kahului, HI 96733.

Two Maui Fire Department engines fly a large American flag over the entrance to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Friday in honor of MPD Officer Suzanne O. Photo courtesy Maui Police Department