Boating accident victim was colonel in Reserves

Col. Kirk R. Slaughter, deputy commanding officer for operations of the Army Reserves 9th Mission Support Command, was identified Friday as the man killed in a boating accident at Waianae Boat Harbor.

Slaughter, 49, had a mask, a fin and a longboard when a 21-foot recreational powerboat exiting the harbor apparently ran over him Thursday morning at the mouth of the harbor, officials said.

Originally from Lyons, Neb., Slaughter was stationed at Fort Shafter Flats and had been on leave and camping at the Pililaau Army Recreation Center, according to the 9th Mission Support Command.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Col. Kirk Slaughter as they navigate through this difficult time,” the 9th Mission Support Command said in a news release Friday. “He was an exceptional officer and friend and he will be deeply missed.”

“The family has requested no media interviews, in order to maintain their privacy,” it added.

Slaughter had been in the Army Reserves more than 30 years, both enlisted and commissioned time. He joined the Reserves in 1986 and was assigned to Hawaii in June 2015.

His awards include a Bronze Star Medal, four meritorious service medals and two Army achievement medals.

Shayne Enright, spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Emergency Services, said the trouble call came in at 7:20 a.m. Thursday.

“He was with another person, and he was apparently run over by this boat,” Enright said. “They stopped and rendered aid, along with a couple of people from another boat. It happened right at the harbor entrance.”

Enright said an Ocean Safety lieutenant paddled out and helped bring the victim to shore, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said Slaughter was swimming 500 feet from the harbor entrance when he was struck by the boat. Police, firefighters, lifeguards and paramedics all responded.

Police are investigating the case, which was classified as an unattended death.