HPD Lt. David Passmore plays taps at officer Glen Gaspar's graveside services at Hawaiian Memorial Park in Kane'ohe. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Slain police officer Gaspar laid to rest

By Will Hoover and Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writers

About a thousand friends, relatives, colleagues and strangers gathered at the graveside service of Glen Gaspar yesterday as orchids were dropped from the sky, white doves circled overhead and 17 members of the Celtic Pipes & Drums of Hawai'i played "Amazing Grace."

Officers salute as the hearse carrying slain officer Glen Gaspar passes in front of police headquarters on South Beretania Street. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

"This is awesome."

Like many present, Simao said he had never met Gaspar, knew little about him and had never heard of him before March 4, the day the Honolulu police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty.

"It's just that he died doing his job protecting us, and the least I can do to show my respect is to be here," said Simao.

The half-hour service at Hawaiian Memorial Park included a 21-gun salute, the playing of taps and the presentation of two flags by Honolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue to Gaspar's mother, Eva. On the day Gaspar died, both flags — one American and one Hawaiian— were flown died at the Pearl City substation, where the Honolulu Police Department officer worked.

The graveside service was the culmination of several memorials for the fallen 12-year veteran, which began Friday evening at Borthwick Mortuary with the first of two funeral services. An estimated 3,000 people took part in that service.

And cry and laugh many did as friends and relatives recalled stories about the man described as big-hearted, ever-smiling and always playful.

Childhood pal Harrison Murray, who grew up with Gaspar in 'Alewa Heights, said: "Everybody in the neighborhood — everybody — wanted to be like Glen."

Alika Watts, Gaspar's friend from his days at Kamehameha Schools, where Gaspar graduated in 1981, summed up one characteristic that was mentioned throughout the day by practically everyone who ever knew Gaspar.

Glen Gaspar and his daughters Tasia, 11, left, and Kiana, 13. Advertiser library photo

Gaspar, 40, was also remembered as a soccer coach, trusted friend and devoted dad to his two daughters.

Yesterday's services were attended by a sea of men and women in blue, as hundreds of police officers from Honolulu, Maui, the Big Island and Kaua'i were joined by Honolulu firefighters, state correctional officers and U.S. customs agents.

At police headquarters on South Beretania, officers in pressed dark-blue uniforms poured onto the sidewalk 20 minutes before Gaspar's procession was to arrive after the Kamehameha Schools service.

The casket bearing Glen Gaspar is brought to the gravesite at Hawaiian Memorial Park for yesterday's service. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"Those guys over there," he said, pointing to half a dozen men, most of whom were wearing dark suits and well-shined shoes, "are from the FBI. I saw some of the federal marshals around somewhere, too. Those are our new recruits over there in the light blue."

Perez said he had known Gaspar for at least as long as he had been in the department, and his good memories of the fallen officer were too many to list. "The city lost one of the best," he said.

A few clusters of civilians joined the officers on the block of South Beretania that fronts the headquarters. One couple said they were students in the civilian police academy, a program that teaches community members about police practices and policies. Another woman had come alone to show support for an officer who shared her ethnic heritage.

HPD motorcycle officers escort the funeral procession for officer Glen Gaspar down Vineyard Boulevard near the Pali Highway intersection. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I can't imagine what that family is going through," she said.

"They're out there trying protect people and . . .

"It only takes one bad person."

Shane Mark, 28, has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of Gaspar at a Kapolei ice cream parlor 12 days ago.

Gaspar, with HPD's Career Criminal Unit, was attempting, along with other officers, to arrest Mark, who was wanted on an attempted-murder warrant.

During a struggle with Mark, Gaspar was shot three times.

Anytime an officer is killed in the line of duty it's a blow to the department, said Donohue. But Gaspar's death is especially sad.

"He was just a good guy," said Donohue.

Police lead a missing rider formation with one riderless horse in front of the hearse at Hawaii Memorial Park in Kane'ohe.		Mourners adorn Gaspar's casket with flowers after yesterday's gravesite ceremony.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser