MCB HAWAII -- Sharing their memories, dozens gathered at the Base Chapel June 11, to salute fallen civilian policeman Officer Tauveve Vivao.
“He really made a difference,” said Lt. Col. Karla M. Jessup, provost marshal, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. “He took time to talk to people. He was one of those special people that made everyone around them feel special.”
The 42-year-old from Waipahu was one of the first MCB Hawaii graduates of the Marine Corps Civilian Police program in November 2008. Vivao, after an apparent heart attack, collapsed on one of the base’s running tracks during training May 11. Earlier this month, Vivao was interred at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe.
“He was the best man I knew,” said Amarillo, Texas native Cpl. David Ramos, military policeman, Military Police Department. “He was an outstanding mentor, a brother, a father figure and a devoted family man.”
Colleagues and one of Vivao’s family members spoke during the ceremony. Photos of him training and on the job were displayed in a slideshow as Israel Kamakawiwoole’s medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World” piped in through speakers. Later, a traditional bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace” was played.
Several members of the Vivao family attended, including his wife Talalelei Vivao and his brother-in-law. Many wore white T-shirts with the fallen policeman’s photo.
Vivao, who served more than 20 years in the U.S. Army, in his later years joined the Hawaii Army National Guard. Several of his co-workers from the HIANG attended the ceremony. Hawaii Army National Guard Spc. Charles Schmid, cannon crewman, 487th Field Artillery Regiment, 29th Infantry Combat Brigade Team, served with Vivao on deployment. Schmid looked up to Vivao as an example of being a good father. Vivao, the father of 10 children, was someone Schmid said was always patient and kind.
Addressing the audience, Marine Corps Civilian Police Lt. Marc Farr, shift commander, MPD, shared his memories of Vivao. The two went through academy training together and served in the civilian policeman unit at MCB Hawaii. Farr recalled how his fallen friend and co-worker was always generous with his time.
“His dedication to duty and service is and was one of a kind,” Farr said. “You see in our sections we pride ourselves on the team concept, it’s a balance of qualities and Officer Vivao was such an integral part of that team. You knew when you looked at him he would do anything for that team and that is special in itself.”
During the ceremony, Military Police Department personnel presented Talalelei Vivao with a commemorative wooden bowl filled with bereavement cards. Several government institutions, including the U.S. Marshals Service, offered their condolences. Jessup, of Altus, Okla., also presented Talalelei Vivao with an American flag and badge.
“[The ceremony was] above and beyond,” Talalelei Vivao said. “I’m very grateful and thankful. I feel very honored and welcomed to have this service here.”
Talalelei Vivao said the Military Police Department has been very supportive since her husband’s death.
“I want to extend a thank you to all of my husband’s friends, especially his coworkers and retired folks from the [487th Field Artillery] for helping me through this,” she said. “The Kaneohe Bay Provost Marshall Office deserves a lot of thanks for putting together such a wonderful ceremony on his behalf, making time for his family and friends to speak. Thank you for all that you did for my husband.”