Donohue also supported numerous community organizations.

Lee Donohue, who was chief of the Honolulu Police Department from 1998 to 2004, has died.

He was HPD’s eighth chief and was remembered Sunday as a “truly great leader.”

“On behalf of the officers and civilian employees of the Honolulu Police Department, I extend our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Donohue family,” said current HPD Chief Joe Logan.

“Chief Donohue was known as a cop’s cop and for being a strong, decisive leader. After serving the department for 40 years, he continued serving the public through many community organizations. We will miss him and are blessed to have had a very wonderful and passionate chief,” Logan said.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi called Donohue a “truly great leader.”

“Anyone who knows Oahu’s history of law enforcement recognizes that Chief Lee Donohue was one of the truly great leaders to serve our community, as well as the men and women of HPD,” he said.

“I could not have any more admiration or respect than I have for Chief Donohue. He was both friend and mentor to me, and I am deeply saddened by his passing,” Blangiardi said.

At this time, the cause of death is unknown.

Details on services were not immediately released.

Help power our public service journalism

As a local newsroom, Civil Beat has a unique public service role in times of crisis.

That’s why we’re committed to a paywall-free website and subscription-free content, so we can get vital information out to everyone, from all communities.

We are deploying a significant amount of our resources to covering the Maui fires, and your support ensures that we can pivot when these types of emergencies arise.

Make a gift to Civil Beat today and help power our nonprofit newsroom.

About the Author