Condolences pour in as Overland Park mourns first officer killed in over three decades
As John Lacy, a spokesman for the Overland Park Police Department, delivered the news Sunday that a fellow officer, a friend of his, was fatally shot in the line duty, he asked for prayers.
Mike Mosher, a 14 1/2-year veteran of the department, was killed in a shootout with a hit-and-run suspect Sunday.
“We’re not used to this,” Lacy told the cameras, saying he was “choked up inside” and taking the loss hard. “I’ve never lost an officer.”
Condolences quickly poured in from local leaders and police departments as far away as Boston. Former Chiefs kicker Lawrence Tynes also offered prayers.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas tweeted: “Overland Park lost one of its finest this afternoon. I’m saddened to hear of the loss of an OP police officer who died in the line of duty defending his community.”
“Sometimes there just aren’t the right words to express feelings in the wake of tragedy,” the Clay County Sheriff’s Office posted on Twitter. “We hurt with you, (Overland Park police).”
“I am devastated to hear an officer was killed in the line of duty today in Overland Park,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted. “My deepest condolences to the officer’s family, the Overland Park Police Department, and the people of Overland Park. Praying for the department and all who serve our communities.
The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department on Twitter said it was “saddened beyond words” by the news.
In a statement, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt called Mosher a “respected law enforcement leader.”
“The senseless death of Officer Mike Mosher is a tragic reminder of the enormous debt of gratitude we owe the men and women in law enforcement for protecting our communities,” Schmidt said.
Olathe West High School principal Jay Novacek remembered Mosher’s time as one of his English students, describing him on Twitter as “full of life, a lot of humor, and positive energy.”
Mosher is the first Overland Park officer killed in the line of duty. The first was officer Deanna Rose, who died in January 1985 after the driver of a vehicle she pulled over on suspicion of intoxication knocked her down and ran her over.
Mosher leaves behind a wife and a young daughter.
Officers responded to the call of shots fired about 5:53 p.m. in the area of West 123rd and Mackey streets, where Mosher and the suspect exchanged gunfire, according to Lacy.
Prior to the shootout, Mosher radioed to dispatch about a hit-and-run crash at West 143rd Street and Antioch Road. He followed the suspect, who has not been identified, north on Antioch Road before stopping near West 123rd Street.
Mosher approached the suspect’s vehicle and an altercation occurred. The two exchanged gunfire, Lacy said.
The suspect died at the scene. Mosher died at a hospital.
This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 10:04 AM.
