In the winter of 2011, a tragedy unfolded in Indianapolis that would forever mark the city and its police force. David S. Moore, a 29-year-old male officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, was a dedicated public servant, known for his compassion and commitment to protecting others. His parents, both also in law enforcement, had instilled in him a deep sense of duty.
On the morning of January 23, 2011, Officer Moore conducted a traffic stop in the 3400 block of Temple
Avenue. The vehicle he pulled over had been reported stolen. During the stop, the driver, without provocation, opened fire on Officer Moore. Moore was struck multiple times, including twice in the face and once in the thigh, before the suspect fled the scene. Despite wearing a bullet-resistant vest, his injuries were catastrophic. He was rushed to a local hospital where he remained in a coma. After three days on life support, the six-year veteran of the force succumbed to his injuries on January 26, 2011.
The man responsible for the fatal shooting was identified as Thomas Hardy, a 60-year-old parolee. He was apprehended later on the same day as the shooting. Hardy was subsequently charged with murder, robbery with a deadly weapon, and possession of a handgun by a serious violent felon. In a move that surprised many, prosecutors, at the request of Officer Moore's parents, did not seek the death penalty.
In March 2012, Thomas Hardy pleaded guilty to the murder of Officer David Moore. As part of a plea agreement, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 40 years. During the legal proceedings, Officer Moore's parents expressed a desire for compassion, not vengeance, in honor of their son's memory. In a poignant moment in court, they even had a final exchange with their son's killer, with his mother gifting Hardy a laminated photo of David backed by the police officers' prayer.
