HOONAH, Alaska—
Hundreds of people gathered in Hoonah Wednesday to honor police officers Tony Wallace and Matt Tokuoka, who were killed last week in an ambush. Hoonah Police Chief John Millan said the men would have been embarrassed by the gathering. “Tony and Matt were warriors sworn to protect their country, their home, their family -- they were one of us,” Millan said. “Their shield was their badge, emblazoned and proudly worn on their chest.”
The high-school gymnasium in Hoonah was packed with mourners from across the state, all paying their respects to Wallace and Tokuoka. An honor guard escorted their remains via ferry from Juneau to Hoonah earlier Wednesday.
At about 2:30 p.m., family, friends, colleagues, and Alaska's leaders gathered to show their support to the family of the officers, but also to share stories about their great accomplishments. Friends, neighbors and coworkers spoke on the men's behalf.
Wallace was described as a proud father and loving son, whose dream was always to be a police officer. Tokuoka, a former Marine, was said to possess strong personal discipline, but was also a caring friend.
Millan remembered the men as humble and hardworking.
“I will tell you that Matt and Tony were modest men; I am sure they would be embarrassed and humbled by the magnitude of this gathering,” Millan said. “They would simply shrug their shoulders and dismiss the unbelievable heroism displayed by matter-of-factly saying, ‘We were just doing our jobs.’”
“Men who balance strength and authority with respect and compassion -- they are the kind of people that we wish could multiply,” said Gov. Sean Parnell. “But the hard truth of losing them from this earthly space leaves us empty, and even a bit angry.”
Wallace and Tokuoka were killed in an ambush last week, when officials say Hoonah resident John Marvin Jr. opened fire on them.
Marvin surrendered to authorities after a weekend standoff, and faces two counts of first-degree murder in their deaths.
Contact Jason Lamb at jlamb@ktuu.com
