KANSAS CITY, Mo. — During his time with the Overland Park Police Department, Officer Mike Mosher trained several new recruits. One of them is now with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police department and said Mosher saved his life.
"He was there for the officers," said Brian Caniglia. "He was there to give you a big hug and tell you he's got your back. No matter what. He was always there for you."
Officer Caniglia is back on the job after spending a few weeks with his second newborn. He didn't think he'd see his first.
"You know, we saved each other that night," Caniglia said.
In summer 2018, then-Overland Park Police Officer Caniglia and Mosher rushed to an apartment complex on a report of a man shooting an AK-47.
"I took off running because I knew Mike was in trouble," Caniglia said. "I could hear the gunshots, and I could hear the bullets ricocheting off cars and off the ground."
Mosher and Caniglia returned fire, killing the suspect.
"I'm just grateful for him and my family is grateful for him," Caniglia said. "And we just became like brothers. His family became my family.".
They received the Gold Valor award for their actions.
"The thing for me was, I wish I was there for him again," Caniglia said. "You know, he needed he needed someone else there with him."
Mosher's death on Sunday following a shootout with a hit-and-run suspect has left Caniglia grief-stricken.
"He protected the community. If he wasn't there, you know, we may be talking about a different story," Caniglia said. "And that would have just ate him alive. And I'm glad that he was there. The outcome, as sad as it is for Mike and for the gentleman's family, but he saved lives again."
