HPD officer first in Hawaii to win national ‘Hometown Hero’ award
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu police officer Roxanne Montalbo is modest by nature and devoutly religious, taking on her daily assignments with genuine compassion.
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The Aiea native’s approach not only serves her well as a first responder, but it also earned her national recognition.
After serving in the Honolulu Police Department for about six years, Montalbo is now the first police officer in Hawaii to receive the U.S. Department of Justice Hometown Hero Award.
“I had to take time and let that sink in. I’m not the type of person that seek recognition or wanting to be in the spotlight, but after thinking about it, I was like, okay, this is way more than me,” Montalbo shared.
A member of HPD’s Crisis Intervention Team, Montalbo is tasked with connecting homeless folks with needed services.
“Just being that understanding person, like, ‘hey, I may not know what you’re going through, not everything, but I can be someone that you can talk to,’” Montalbo said.
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Montalbo’s colleagues say she often puts herself before others.
During the Kona low storm, Montalbo met a young mother and her 3-year-old who were living on the beach.
On her day off, Montalbo helped the two into a shelter, gave them clothes, and guided them to resources.
“Even though it [the storms] was very bad, good things came out of it because now people who were unhoused are now at shelters,” Montalbo said.
A devout Christian, faith and family are at the forefront for Montalbo.
“I cannot do anything without my husband. My kids, as well, because they get pushed into all of this and dragged into shelters and all that kind of stuff with me that they also enjoy doing. I want to thank my parents, and also my church family too because they’re the ones that also connecting me and praying for me,” Montalbo said.
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