The mother and father of slain Indianapolis Metro Police Officer David Moore reveal how they faced their son's killer for the last time in court. As Thomas Hardy starts his life sentence, Moore's parents are trying to put him out of their lives.
The Moores sat down Friday morning for a one-on-one interview with Eyewitness News. Hardy was offered a plea deal only because of David Moore's parents.
Spencer and Joanne Moore are both police officers who ushered their son into the same profession well aware of the harsh reality that comes with the job. Their son David died in the line of duty when 61-year-old Thomas Hardy shot him in January 2011 during a traffic stop.
Hardy fired five shots, the last execution style, in the back of the head.
"He could have survived every wound but the last one," said Joanne Moore, the fallen officer's mother.
Prosecutors say they had an open and shut case against Hardy that could possibly land him on death row. But the Moores insisted on letting him live out the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
"I looked at him and said it is okay and he shrugged his shoulders," Jo Moore said.
On sentencing day, the mother and father had final words with their son's killer.
"I looked him and he looked at me, which kind of surprised me, because this is my third time in court with him," said Joanne Moore. "It surprised me that he was willing to make eye connection. He seemed, in my opinion - I am a people person - and it seemed he was saying he was sorry and I was hoping that he would verbalize that."
"I looked at him and I said, 'I think my wife was extremely gracious to you.' He nodded. I mean, we actually had a connection there," said Spencer Moore.
With the judge's permission, Joanne Moore made an unexpected move in court. She gifted hardy with a laminated photo of their son, backed by the police officers' prayer.
"That's my girl," Spencer Moore recalled thinking of the gift.
As part of their survival strength, you might see the Moores drive by not only the shooting scene at 34th and Temple, but also on David Moore Memorial Way.
"Come back out on Keystone and I am like, 'Okay, now I am going to work'," Joanne Moore said.
Eventually, the Moores will retrieve their son's personal belongings, which are still in his squad car from the day of the shooting. Prosecutors have delayed that process until after Hardy is fully processed into prison.
But because of their faith, the Moores say they are much closer to healing from a hurt that may never go away.
"In all honesty, there will always be a void there," Spencer Moore said.
