Steve Favela served his country as a motorcycle police officer, but also through a decade-long military career that included service in the Coast Guard and the Air National Guard.

Colleagues with the Coast Guard yesterday remembered Favela's service as a petty officer with the Maritime Safety & Security Team.

"His commanding officer has nothing but high praise for Petty Officer Favela," said Coast Guard public affairs Chief Petty Officer Marsha Delaney. "He was a very instrumental part of the unit, and they are desperately going to miss him as part of the unit both personally and professionally."

Favela was part of a team whose mission was boarding boats deemed a threat to U.S. ports or other maritime interests. His team was attached to the Maritime Law Enforcement/Force Protection Detachment.

Favela spent 10 years in the military, including 6 1/2 years in the Air National Guard and 3 1/2 years in the Coast Guard Reserve.

His death on Sunday from injuries suffered in a crash as he escorted President Bush's motorcade elicited an outpouring of condolences from across the Islands and the nation.

"He was a real nice guy, always smiling," said Honolulu police detective Gary Lahens, who used to stop and chat with Favela when the two would run into one another in the department's parking lot on Alapa'i Street. "I had the privilege as a detective, and as a friend, to interact with Steve. I will remember him as being a professional officer and a beautiful person. I will miss him dearly."

More than a hundred officers from across the country posted their thoughts on the Officer Down Memorial Page.

One of them was fellow motorcycle officer Kevin Ancog.

"Steve, I'm really going to miss you. Being deployed in Afghanistan only makes it worse. I'm heartbroken for your wife and kids. I'm going to miss the times you, Kimo and myself would hang out on the shoulder of H-1 and watch your mom & sister or brother drive by on their way to work. You were always so happy to see them," Ancog wrote. "You are a good riding partner, a good friend and someone who people can always lean on. I was looking forward to riding together when I got back, but I guess that'll have to wait."

Another post was from police Chief Boisse P. Correa, who wrote, "On this sad day we stand together in thought and prayer for our lost brother. Our condolences go out to Steve Favela's wife, Barbara; their four children; their families; and their friends.

"While we mourn and miss Steve, we will never forget his dedication to HPD and the honorable way in which he represented all of us. Not only we are saddened by our loss, but the whole community is deeply affected. Let us all be thankful that Steve was a part of our lives — if only for a short time. He will never be forgotten."

A fund for his family and children was set up at First Hawaiian Bank yesterday.

Anyone wishing to participate can donate to "Friends of Steve Favela" at any First Hawaiian branch. Services for Favela are pending.

Honolulu police officers also are chipping in with their own internal fundraising efforts to benefit Favela's four children.

The internal department investigation into Favela's death could take months, police said.

The Secret Service has classified the incident as an accident and did not open a formal probe.

Favela died at 9:55 a.m. Sunday from injuries he suffered at Hickam Air Force Base in a crash Nov. 21 while he escorted President Bush's motorcade to a troop breakfast on a rain-slicked road.

He was one of three motorcycle officers who crashed near a bend along O'Malley Boulevard as the motorcade left Hickam. The other two officers were treated at a hospital and released.

Favela was hospitalized with internal injuries, including a torn spleen, and doctors operated on him to control the bleeding.

Favela's right leg was amputated during life-saving efforts, said Honolulu first deputy medical examiner Dr. William Goodhue Jr.

The blood supply to his right leg was described as "irreversibly compromised." Favela received a significant blood transfusion, but it didn't help.

He suffered "multisystem organ failure and brain death," Goodhue said.

Favela was the 12th Honolulu motorcycle officer to die in the line of duty since 1923.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.