Retired Honolulu Police Chief Doug­las Gibb was remembered Friday night as a strong leader, a visionary and maverick, but also as a good friend and family man.

He was known for enhancing interagency cooperation and being attentive to the needs of his officers and the community.

As a captain, Gibb was instrumental in Operation Huki­lau, which set up fake storefronts where undercover officers bought stolen goods, leading to the prosecution of 500 burglary, theft and robbery cases.

Mayor Peter Carlisle called Gibb a "maverick, someone who takes an independent streak," citing Operatio Huki­lau as an example.

"He changed the lives of many people," Carlisle said. "But for him I would not have become the mayor of Hono­lulu," adding that Gibb volunteered to be his campaign manager in his run for city prosecutor.

More than 300 came to pay their respects at Borthwick Mortuary in downtown Hono­lulu. Bagpipers played "Amazing Grace," for the man of Scottish ancestry who learned to play the instrument and formed a bagpipe band within the Police Department.

Gibb died of cancer July 1 under hospice care in Des Moines, Iowa, where he moved after retiring.

HPD held a final salute Friday for its sixth chief at the Ala­pai main station. Police shut down part of South Beretania Street as a motorcade from the mortuary traveled to pause briefly in front of HPD headquarters.

The third-youngest chief in HPD history, Gibb was captain before being appointed chief in 1983, and served to 1989.

Police Chief Louis Kealoha said Gibb, the first chief he served under, was respected by the rank and file. "I never ever heard anyone say something bad about the chief."

He praised Gibb’s ability to make the shift from traditional policing to working with the community, focusing on prevention and education, and restoring community trust in police.

Gibb was born in 1940 in Maka­weli, Kauai. He joined the department in 1967; served in Windward Oahu, the Criminal Investigation Division and the Chief’s Office; and was named Officer of the Year in 1982.

Gibb and his wife, Melanie, had retired to Iowa to be close to their daughter and grandchildren.

He is also survived by son Glenn K., daughter Diane G. Lahodny, brother Charles E., sister Christina E. Moore and three grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Hono­lulu Police Relief Association, 1537 Young St., Suite 200, Hono­lulu 96826; or to PBS Hawaii, 2350 Dole St., Hono­lulu 96822.