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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, July 21, 2004

Former HPD detective Earl F. Benson dead at 67

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Earl F. Benson, a former Honolulu Police Department detective and investigator with the city prosecutor's office, died July 11 in Kahuku. He was 67.

Benson was born in Honolulu and attended Kaimuki High School. He joined HPD and rose to the rank of detective.

During his 17 years on the force, Benson spearheaded the creation of a rape squad. In 1982, former Honolulu Prosecutor Charles Marsland said Benson was the "best rape detective in the state."

After retiring, Benson joined Marsland's office as the head of a special task force for police and prosecutor. The task force focused on rape cases and also targeted repeat, violent offenders.

Benson is survived by his wife, Gloria; sons, Martin, Michael and McKenna; daughters, Melissa Ginella and Melinda Benson-Murray; 13 grandchildren; brothers, Wayne and John; sisters, Catherine Downey and Lois Reeves.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Diamond Head Mortuary; service at 11 a.m.; inurnment at 1 p.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. Arrangements are handled by Williams Funeral Services.