OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Law enforcement and the community that Overland Park Police Officer Mike Mosher gave his life to paid their respects Tuesday night.
Though the coronavirus pandemic prompted a drive-through visitation, this particular adjustment did not deter the traditions and customs to honor a fallen officer.
"Every time there's a need for it, and we are here to support the family and provide respect for Officer Mosher," Bruce Holmes, the Kansas captain of the Patriot Guard Riders, said.
Holmes and several other members formed a flag line across from the convention center.
"Each person will give you a different reason as to why they have to be here,” Holmes said. “A lot of them [who] do it feel like – that they're continuing there to honor their country.”
They'll do the same for Mosher's funeral and burial.
Overland Park Police Major Douglas Dunn said he had a “pretty good grasp” on how police funerals are handled, but the situation for Mosher is “new ground.”
Dunn was a rookie officer when the department lost Officer Deanna Rose in the line of duty of 35 years ago.
These days, Dunn has attended every police funeral in the Midwest as commander of the honor guard.
"Then this one happened, and it's ours and I have no idea because we've got these COVID-19 restrictions,” Dunn said. “It took us all day Monday and part of Tuesday to be able to determine what we were going to do and where we were going to be able to do it, to what extent we were going to be able to honor Mike.”
In the days since the tragedy, the community has continued to show its love and support for Mosher.
Mosher’s funeral will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday inside the Overland Park Convention Center.
Due to social distancing, the funeral is open only to family, friends and members of the Overland Park Police Department.
