Posted on: Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Police eulogize fallen officer
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hundreds of Honolulu police officers paid their final respects last night to fallen Officer Issac Veal, many describing him as a friend, but all calling him a brother.
A steady flow of officers, firefighters, emergency workers and friends filed past Veal's open casket, which was surrounded by wreaths and photos. Although Veal's life ended tragically, last night's celebration of life was upbeat and those who eulogized him spoke not of the accident, but of a man who loved his job, his family, and mostly his God.
Donna Veal spoke publicly last night for the first time since the accident and said her husband was her "bosom buddy, my best friend." They were married for 25 years and raised four children.
She recalled a recent Saturday when they drove around the island, reminiscing about their courtship and life together.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser "We enjoyed just laughing with each other. We talked a lot. We hugged a lot. He never told me goodbye; he said, 'Be sweet.' That was his way of saying it. He was the better half of who I am."
Officer Leroy Contee, who has been on the force for more than 14 years, said he always looked up to Veal and admired Veal's dedication to everything he did, whether as a police officer or a soccer dad.
"He was always happy about things and he always had something positive to say about everything," said Contee, who was in charge of last night's honor guard.
Although work took much of his time, Veal always had time to spend with his family, Contee said. "Family meant everything to him. He was very active in his church, and he was very active with his children and their upbringing," he said.
Acting Chief Glen Kajiyama characterized Veal as "one of the finest of Honolulu's finest." He said Veal's personnel folder was filled with commendations and thank-you letters from people he'd helped, including a letter from a California visitor just weeks after he graduated from recruit school.
A motorcade carrying Officer Issac Veal will leave Borthwick Mortuary at 10 a.m. today and pass the Honolulu Police Department's main station on South Beretania Street at about 10:10. The motorcade will take Punchbowl Street to Pali Highway, and then Kamehameha Highway to Hawaiian Memorial Park. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Veal was a member of the Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church in Wahiawa and regularly led worship services. Pastor Kerry Wasson knew Veal for more than 20 years and said the community lost a very important man.
Wasson said Veal would often bring people to church whom he met while on duty. Many were having problems, and Veal felt they would be helped by going to church.
At the request of Donna Veal, Wasson went to last week's accident scene. There, Wasson asked officers whether Issac Veal had any last words. "They said no, no last words," Wasson said.
But Wasson noticed nearly two-dozen business cards on the seat of Veal's SUV, and on them was written: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."
"So we found this right on the seat, so he left some last words. He did leave some last words," Wasson said.
Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Funeral services for Veal were held at a packed Borthwick Mortuary. The 25-year veteran was killed Aug. 16 when he lost control of his sport utility vehicle while responding to a call in Mililani.
Issac "Ike" Veal.
"In my mind's eye, it was a perfect day. God allowed me to have 25 years of these perfect days," she said.
Fellow police officers arrive at Borthwick Mortuary for services and the celebration of the life of Officer Issac "Ike" Veal.
"Ike was a hero to someone every day of his life," Kajiyama said. "Both on and off duty, Ike spent his time helping people and making the community better."
Motorcade today
