Holly MatkinKihei, HI – U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent John Bost died on July 28, after he was shot by a rifle that was accidentally discharged, police said.
The fatal shooting, which occurred inside the Kihei Police Station, was ruled as an accidental line-of-duty death, according to Maui Now.
The Maui Police Department (MPD), the ATF, and the Maui County Medical Examiner’s Office are handling the ongoing investigation into Agent Bost’s death.
Additional details regarding the circumstances of the 41-year-old agent’s death have not been released.
“Bost was more than an Agent and co-worker, he was a friend, he was family,” ATF Seattle Division Public Information Officer Jason Chuddy told Maui Now.
“John will be remembered as an outstanding special agent, greatly admired and respected by all who knew him. He was deeply committed to ATF’s mission of safeguarding our communities from violent criminals, and will be profoundly missed,” Officer Chuddy said.
Agent Bost, a North Carolina native, graduated from the University of North Carolina with a criminal justice degree in 2000, according to his obituary.
He served with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department prior to becoming an ATF special agent in 2006.
Agent Bost spent the bulk of his ATF career stationed in Hawaii, where he was honored as the Hawaiian Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2012, according to his obituary.
MPD Lieutenant Audra Sellers said that Agent Bost had worked closely with the MPD since 2015, Maui Now reported.
“To our ʻohana, you were more than an agent and co-worker, you were a friend and you were family,” Lt. Sellers said on Tuesday during a sendoff ceremony for the fallen agent. “You served the Maui County community with dedication and honor. From the Maui Police Department and all other agencies, we salute you for your commitment. Aloha and a hui hou. Aloha nō, aloha nō, aloha ʻoe.”
Agent Bost leaves behind his significant other, Eren Kamiyama, as well as his parents, siblings, and nephew, according to his obituary.
He will be laid to rest on Friday.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of ATF Special Agent John Bost, III, who was killed as the result of an accidental rifle discharge while executing his official duties. #LODD #EOW pic.twitter.com/rZlmBa43fw
— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) August 5, 2020
With great sadness we announce that SA John Bost III died July 28 in Kihei, Hawai’i, in an accidental line of duty death. Bost, a North Carolina native, had been a special agent since Nov. 2005, much of which working with @mauipd and served as an officer with @CMPD #LODD #EOW pic.twitter.com/7tQ91rFo0n
— ATF Seattle (@ATF_Seattle) August 4, 2020
GLFOP: Blessed Are The Peacemakers
Special Agent John Bost, III
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
EOW: Tuesday, July 28, 2020#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/eOFOUvclog
— SCFOP Lodge #31 (@scfop_31) August 4, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent John Bost, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
