Police Chief Boisse Correa took time out yesterday to honor a few local heroes, both from his own department and the community's civilian ranks, for their outstanding deeds and acts of courage.

"We have one of the finest police departments in the nation, if not in the world," said Correa at the First Quarter Awards ceremony at Pearlridge Center, citing that Honolulu county now enjoys its lowest crime rate in 75 years.

"But we could not have done it without the eyes and ears and support of the community," added the chief. "So when we have an opportunity to recognize great work, exemplary work, we like to do it."

One person so honored was officer Keith Ben-Rajab, who received the department's Certificate of Merit for rescuing a kidnapped month-old baby boy from a stolen vehicle driven by an underage, intoxicated driver on Feb. 11.

"Obviously this is every parent's nightmare," said William Chur, commander of HPD's District 5, who presented Ben-Rajab with the award. "Especially when it involved such a young and fragile infant."

Because the potential for disaster was tremendous, Ben-Rajab cruised Kalihi for an hour and a half until he spotted and eventually stopped the evasive stolen car and recovered the baby unharmed. Ben-Rajab later said he was just doing his job.

"It was all in the line of duty," he said.

Still, the officer admitted he was motivated.

"I have a 3-year-old son," he said. "So for me it kind of hit home. Because if that was me, I know I'd want everybody to be looking for my child."

Two citizen heroes who couldn't make yesterday's ceremony were Vaovai Tavai Jr. and Opele Niupulusu, who overpowered and disarmed a man with a loaded gun last year. Dave Kajihiro, HPD District 3 Commander, accepted on their behalf the HPD Civilian Medal of Valor, the highest award presented to a private citizen.

Kajihiro said a drunken man with a loaded handgun entered a Honolulu business on Nov. 18. Tavai and Niupulusu were also there at the time. Without hesitation, the two men grabbed the gunman's arm and a violent struggle erupted, Kajihiro said. The two men were able to overpower and disarm the gunman, who was subsequently arrested by responding police officers.

"Their willingness to take action to protect our community in complete disregard for their own safety exemplifies the value of courage and exceptional character," Kajihiro said.

Another honoree who was unable to attend was officer Nelson Tamayori, who was awarded the Employee of the First Quarter Award. Tamayori is a member of the department's Narcotics/Vice Division's Parcel Interdiction Team. In the first three months of the year, he and his team confiscated nearly $300,000 worth of illegal drugs and made numerous arrests while working with state and federal officials, said assistant chief for investigations Kevin Lima.

Also honored as Unit of the First Quarter were nine members of the HPD District 2 Crime Reduction Unit. Between January and March they racked up 163 arrests, 53 of which were felonies, and made impressive strides in attacking crimes involving drugs, burglaries, thefts from vehicles and graffiti in Wahiawa, Mililani and the North Shore, said District 2 Commander Bart Huber.

Unit members receiving awards were Sgt. Paul Ledesma, and Officers Johnny Agoo, Mark Kono, William Malina, Garrett Maluenda, Benny Toledo, Jayme Daszek, James Jicha and Gerald Agbulos.