Ex-police officer charged after allegedly choking wife in front of couple’s children

Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 34-year-old Daniel Raymond Ulrich of Orchidland with domestic violence-related offenses following an incident at an address on Silveroak Drive, on the morning of March 7. 

At 5:39 a.m., Puna patrol officers responded to the Orchidland residence for a reported domestic incident. Upon arrival, officers determined that during an argument, Ulrich reportedly pushed his wife down and restricted her breathing by placing her in a choke hold. The incident was witnessed by the couple’s two children, ages 10 and 13.

Ulrich left the residence prior to police arrival, however, was located an hour later and arrested without incident. 

On the afternoon of March 7, after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, detectives from the Area I Juvenile Aid Section charged Ulrich with the following offenses:

• Abuse family household member
• Abuse family household member (strangulation)
• Abuse family household member (in the presence of a minor)

His bail was set at $12,000.

His initial court appearance was scheduled for the afternoon of March 8 in Hilo Family Court.

Six years ago, Ulrich worked for a short period as police officer. He was hired by the Hawai‘i Police Department as a police recruit in February 2018.

In April 2019, he was arrested and charged for a similar type of domestic-related incident. He has not been employed with the department since 2019.