An investigation by Honolulu police has found no fault on the part of a motorcycle officer who died after he crashed while escorting President Bush's motorcade at Hickam Air Force Base last year.

The investigation cites the slippery roadway during the morning of Nov. 21, 2006, the day of the crash. It notes the road remained slick for hours after early-morning rain showers had stopped.

Investigators did not find any evidence of oil, solvents or other chemicals on the stretch of O'Malley Boulevard at the base where the crash occurred. Also, Officer Steve Favela and fellow officers were traveling well within what should have been a safe range of speed, even on a wet roadway.

"All officers (at the time of the collision) were in compliance with established procedures for dignitary escorts," Honolulu police Capt. Frank T. Fujii said last week.

Favela, riding a BMW motorcycle, was injured at 7:10 a.m. He was one of three motorcycle officers who crashed near a bend along O'Malley Boulevard as the motorcade left Hickam. The other officers were treated at a hospital and released.

Favela died on Nov. 26, five days after the accident.

The findings of the investigation will be forwarded to the police internal affairs division for further review.

At the time of the crash, Favela was traveling 40 to 45 mph.

"The death of Officer Steve Favela in the line of duty was an unfortunate accident. It is a great loss to the community as well as to his family and we share their pain," said Col. John J. Torres, 15th Airlift Wing commander at Hickam Air Force Base, when asked to comment on the report.

"The military, like the Police Department, are here to serve when called to duty. We know the risks and do all we can to do our jobs safely and to the best of our ability. As a result of this incident, HPD and the base have grown closer together. While Officer Favela can never be replaced, he will remain in our hearts."

Torres declined to address questions about the slick conditions on the roadway cited in the report.

Attempts to reach Favela's widow, Barbara, were unsuccessful. The couple have four children.

The police report echoes a finding by the U.S. Secret Service last year that also found no fault on the part of the officers involved and determined that they followed federal guidelines governing the protection of the presidential motorcade.

"The president and Mrs. Bush are deeply saddened by the death of Officer Favela," said Blair Jones, a White House spokesman, on Friday. "It is a high calling to choose to serve and protect your fellow citizens and the president is grateful for Officer Favela's service and Officer Favela's family and fellow law enforcement officers remain in the president's thoughts and prayers."

Favela, 30, was the 12th Honolulu motorcycle officer to die in the line of duty since 1923. He was an eight-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department who also spent a decade in the U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard Reserve.

Favela suffered internal injuries, and doctors operated on him to control bleeding. His massive loss of blood spurred his doctors and friends in the community to call for blood donations.

Favela died of "complications from blunt force injuries" suffered in the crash, according to the city medical examiner.

Sari Flanagan lives on O'Malley Boulevard and was on her porch on the morning of the fatal accident.

Saturday's visit by President Bush rekindled memories of the morning Favela crashed, she said, and the sight of the officers losing control of their bikes will never leave her.

"I watched all of that happen last year from my patio," said Flanagan. "It was right in front of my backyard and it was just awful watching the motorcycles go down like dominos after that popping noise."

The U.S. Secret Service does not keep track of the number of accidents involving presidential motorcades, but said the deaths of Favela and a New Mexico police officer last month are the only two fatalities to occur in the course of a motorcade during Bush's time in office.

On Aug. 27, Rio Rancho, N.M., Officer Germaine Casey, 40, crashed while escorting Bush's motorcade at the Albuquerque airport at a point where a road enters an underground parking garage, said a spokeswoman for the Albuquerque Police Department.

Casey was pronounced dead at an Albuquerque hospital.

Bush had been headed to the airport after attending a fund-raiser for Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.