A local member of the Haleck family has confirmed that a man who died after his arrest by Honolulu police earlier this week is Sheldon Haleck of American Samoa.

Based on information from Honolulu friends, a Hawaii News Now reporter first identified the deceased as 38-year old Sheldon Haleck, from a well known family in American Samoa and a graduate of Honolulu based Kaiser High School.

Responding to Samoa News inquiries, Avamua Dave Haleck said yesterday that Sheldon was the youngest son of William and Verdell Haleck — who are now in Honolulu to sort through what happened and to take care of their son’s final funeral arrangements.

William Haleck, who served two years as local police commissioner and stepped down early this year from the post, - could only say that this is a difficult time for him and his family.

 “This comes at a real shock for me and my family and I am having a difficult time in dealing with the loss of my son so soon and so unexpectedly. We loved our son,” he said last night via email from Honolulu.

A Honolulu police department (HPD) statement issued Tuesday, Mar. 17, and provided to Samoa News yesterday, didn’t identify the deceased by name. Instead it says that Honolulu police officers responded around 8:16p.m. Monday, Mar. 16, to an area fronting Iolani Palace (located downtown Honolulu) on a report of a male wearing dark-colored clothing and running in the middle of the roadway, “acting erratically.”

Police claim the male refused to leave the roadway, continuously running away and evading the officers as they approached him. Pepper spray was used but was ineffective as the male continued to remain on the roadway, it says, adding that an electric gun was deployed twice, but was also ineffective.

However, the male tripped and fell while trying to run away, at which time officers “were able to gain control of the combative male and place him under arrest.”

According to the police statement, the male was escorted to the sidewalk when he “suddenly became unresponsive” and Emergency Services and Honolulu Fire Department responded to the scene. The male was transported via ambulance to the Queens Medical Center where he expired (or died),” it says.

Responding to Samoa News questions, HPD Capt. Rade Vanic said yesterday that he cannot provide any additional information about this case other than what was cited in the media statement.

Asked if there is an ongoing investigation on this case and when it’s expected to be completed, Vanic said via email from Honolulu that it’s common practice to conduct a thorough investigation anytime a serious incident like this occurs, but he cannot provide a date of completion.

Asked if an autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death, Vanic responded that this case has been classified as an “unattended death” and in cases like these, no request is needed for an autopsy, as the Honolulu City Medical Examiner will automatically perform an autopsy.

Vanic said that he does not know if HPD has met with the victim’s parents and he is unable to provide any additional comments at this time.

Samoa News expresses our deep condolences to Mr. and Mrs. William Haleck and the Haleck family.