Slain officer 'loved his job'

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Glen Gaspar was a highly decorated police officer who worked long hours to track down the island's worst criminals.

Officer Glen Gaspar, 40, served with the Honolulu Police Department for 12 years. HPD photo

"He loved his job. Even if he had to work on weekends, that was not a problem," his brother Greig said. "The only thing he felt bad about was if there was family things that he was being taken away from."

Glen Gaspar, 40, helped coach his daughters' soccer and volleyball teams. The girls, Kiana, 13, and Taysia, 11, kept him busy.

But Gaspar's life was cut short yesterday when he was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a wanted suspect.

Gaspar was the 37th Honolulu police officer killed in the line of duty.

A somber Police Chief Lee Donohue described Gaspar as a good officer who loved his family.

"Our community lost a hero today," Donohue said.

"The commendations in his personnel folder was one of the thickest I've seen, about 2 inches thick. He was a good guy, never a problem officer."

Gaspar attended Ma'ema'e Elementary School and graduated from the Kamehameha Schools in 1981. He worked for the city and joined the police force 12 years ago.

He spent 10 years on patrol and for the last two years was assigned to the Career Criminal Unit. The unit, comprising a half-dozen officers and detectives from the theft and gang details and robbery divisions, focuses on felons with long criminal histories.

Greig Gaspar said his brother couldn't talk much about his job because much of what he did was classified. But Greig said he knew Glen enjoyed what he was doing.

"His loyalty to the department was always first and foremost," said Greig, whose other brother, Gilbert Jr., is a member of the Hawai'i County Police Department and works in Kona.

Pat Murray has lived across the street from the Gaspar home in 'Alewa Heights for 35 years. She said her three sons grew up with Glen Gaspar.

"He was always striving to be the best that he could be," she said.

Although he was divorced, Glen Gaspar remained close with his ex-wife, Renee, his brother said. Greig Gaspar said the family was in shock yesterday and trying to cope with the tragedy.

"He was very cordial and personable. He was a very people person," Greig said.

He said he heard of his brother's shooting while working at the Waimanalo Health Center. By the time Greig arrived at St. Francis Medical Center West, his brother had died.

Hospital officials at first did not want Greig Gaspar to see his brother. But he said he forced his way into the emergency room because he had something to say.

"I told him goodbye," Greig Gaspar said.

Staff writer Zenaida Espanol contributed to this report.