Memorial service for Tokuoka, Wallace fills Hoonah's hearts

JuneauEmpire.com ^ | September 9, 2010 | Klas Stolpe

[UncleHambone]

HOONAH - Hundreds of people lined the deck of the Hoonah Ferry Terminal on Wednesday, waiting for the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Malaspina to bring the remains of Anthony Wallace and Matthew Tokuoka to this small Tlingit community.

Hundreds more waited at the terminal gates, and still hundreds more lined the streets and waited inside the Hoonah Junior/Senior High School gymnasium as the families of the two Hoonah police officers and accompanying law enforcement personnel arrived, along with the urns.

A law enforcement color guard posted the colors, signaling the beginning of the memorial service for Wallace and Tokuoka, the officers who were shot Aug. 28 and died Aug. 29. John Marvin Jr. is charged with the murder of both men.

"Through media coverage and word of mouth over the last 10 days, I have gotten to know of Matthew and Tony," Gov. Sean Parnell said as he spoke to a standing-room-only crowd. "They were sons and fathers, men who loved their families ... men who put others first, men who balanced strength and authority with respect and compassion ... Tony was a loving son and a proud father, (and) despite his hearing challenges he was one of the best officers and men (I) ever met, he never let a challenge keep him from realizing a dream, he worked hard and earned everything that came his way."

Parnell's voice cracked as he continued, "We know that Matt was the best kind of friend. Scriptures tell us that 'greater love has no man that he lay down his life for a friend.' We are honored to have law enforcement officers of this character serving in this state."

[UncleHambone]

News From Indian Country:

Tokuoka left the home of his father-in-law, George Martin, just before the shooting. The 39-year-old officer was off-duty and had spent the evening there before leaving with his wife and two children, Martin said.

Soon after they left, Martin heard two shots. Wallace was knocked down, and Tokuoka told his wife and children to get away and then he was shot as well, Martin said.

“I imagine he was trying to administer help to this other officer when he got hit,” Martin said.

Wallace was on duty at the time of the shooting. It was unclear why he was in the area.

Wallace, 32, died during surgery in Juneau and Tokuoka died Aug. 29 at a clinic in the Native village, according to Martin.

“The whole town’s in shock,” he said. “I’ve been getting calls all day. It’s a bad situation.”

Martin said his home is just a block and a half from Marvin’s. He didn’t know why the officers were ambushed but said police have had run-ins with Marvin in the past. He said Marvin lives alone.

[liberty or death]

Unbelievable story. I use to hunt & fish this Island in the 80’s and was just shocked to see a double murder in the news.