OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — As Overland Park police grieve the loss of Officer Mike Mosher, who died in a shootout on Sunday, law enforcement and civilians alike are offering support to the department and Mosher's family.
In Nottingham Forest South, Carol O'Brien has encouraged neighbors to tie blue ribbons in their front yard to honor Mosher.
"It hurts everybody,” O’Brien said, “and knowing that your loved one could walk out the door and not come home and this is just to show my support.”
The ribbons are symbolic for O'Brien, who grew up surrounded by law enforcement.
"My dad was on the Detroit police force for 30 years,” she said. “We've gotten several calls where he was hurt in the line of duty, and you get the phone call and you don't know, your heart just drops.”
She experienced that sinking feeling once again Sunday night when she heard of Mosher's death.
"I have met the officer a couple of times from where I used to work at," O'Brien said. "He was always a pleasant gentleman, you know. He's always sweet, very nice.”
RELATED: Overland Park officer killed Sunday previously honored for stopping shooter
It's that demeanor the owners at Centerfire Shooting Sports in Olathe came to know real well.
"The other thing he just loved more was being a good dad,” Bill Basore, co-owner of Centerfire Shooting Sports, said. “He would be out here all the time in the summertime.”
Mosher and his wife taught firearm courses at the facility for the past eight years.
"So dedicated to his profession, you just – you just don't run across people like that all the time,” Basore said. “And you hate to lose the good ones for sure.”
Centerfire has set up a memorial fund to help Mosher's loved ones.
"Nobody prepares for this. Financially, I don't think particularly young families, so anything that we can do and the community can do to help support them is a good thing," Basore said.
O’Brien said everyone has the Mosher family in their thoughts and prayers.
"You know, we lost – Overland Park lost a family member," O'Brien said.
