Sgt. Greg Moore remembered for giving his life to protect Coeur d'Alene

When Larry Sullivan rides his bike past McEuen Park, he stops at the Sgt. Greg Moore memorial, says a prayer, leaves a token, and continues. 

“He’s always on my mind,” Sullivan said, standing just beyond the memorial on a sunny Monday morning. 

Sullivan was a trauma nurse working May 5, 2015, the day Moore was shot during an early morning patrol in a Coeur d’Alene neighborhood.  He was in the emergency room when Moore was brought into Kootenai Health and part of the team that tried to save his life. 

“I stood by his side for four hours and we did everything we possibly could,” he said. “I was the last one to see him before we took him off to the operating room.” 

Moore died that day, the first Coeur d’Alene officer killed in the line of duty. He was 43.

Sullivan was among those at a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary since Moore’s death. 

"It goes by so fast,” he said. 

Coeur d’Alene police and Moore family members started the morning with a private service at Forest Cemetery, where they shared stories of his life. That was followed by a procession through downtown Coeur d’Alene.  

A small crowd lined the sidewalks as the police vehicles made their way to the K27 Forever Memorial at McEuen Park, marked by a waterfall and boulders.

About 75 police officers and firefighters, city officials and about 50 residents attended the 30-minute event. Moore’s widow, Lindy, and their daughter Gemma sat together in the front.

Police Chief Lee White said he remembered how the city came together after the fatal shooting, “united not only in grief, but in appreciation for the service provided by Sgt. Greg Moore and all first responders.” 

White said the degree to which a slain officer is mourned varies. He said in some places, there is a large funeral and a few news stories, but as time passes, only the officer’s family and fellow police remember. 

“Our community is different,” White said. “We understand that the police and community are in this together, that we work cooperatively to keep each other safe, and the impact of a loss such as Greg’s takes much more time to reconcile.” 

White described Moore as a man of “unmistakable integrity, massive personality, unshakeable character, and fantastic humor,” a man who was “damn good at finding criminals.” 

“I do know that all of us can take both comfort and pride in one undeniable truth: that he did not die in vain. He was taken from us doing what he did best: serving and protecting not only our community, but also the ideals, the value and the freedoms that are so uniquely American.” 

White said during Moore’s final graveyard shift, he drove through a neighborhood and woke up some homeowners to tell them their garage door was open so they would not be the victim of a burglar. 

“He stopped a man who was out doing exactly that, and during a frisk, he produced a gun and shot him,” White said. “Sgt. Moore was killed protecting the life and property, and way of life, of the citizens of Coeur d’Alene.” 

The suspect was later arrested, convicted and is in prison.

Retired Sgt. Christie Wood, now a Coeur d’Alene City Councilor, said it was hard to believe a decade had passed since that day. 

“It feels like yesterday,” she said. 

Wood said the pain of Moore’s death was felt by family, police and residents. 

“It never goes away,” she said. “Just the thought that it happened in our community, to our friend, sometimes it is overwhelming.” 

Steve Widmyer, who was Coeur d’Alene’s mayor at the time, called it “the most solemn day in the history of our city.” 

He echoed White’s words that Moore will not be forgotten. 

“We always remember the ultimate sacrifice that he gave to the citizens of Coeur d’Alene,” Widmyer said. 

Sullivan, whose nursing career lasted more than 40 years before he retired, remembered Moore well. He knew him from the time he started with the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and served 14 years. He became the night-shift sergeant and stopped by the ER. 

“He came in every night to check on us to make sure we were all OK,” Sullivan said. 

Kurt and Becky Vestman attended the ceremony. Their daughter, Hayley Vestman, is a K9 officer with Coeur d’Alene police. 

“Having a daughter that is connected to the force makes you reflect on what could be and what you hope never happens” Becky Vestman said. 

She said despite Moore’s death, Monday’s gathering was a celebration of his life and what he did for Coeur d’Alene. 

“You can expect nothing but the best in our community,” Becky Vestman said. 

    Coeur d'Alene officers stand during Monday's memorial to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Sgt. Greg Moore.
  

    A picture and tribute to Sgt. Greg Moore are part of the memorial at McEuen park.
  

    A process of police vehicles travels up Sherman Avenue on Monday.
  

    Gemma Moore is comforted by a Coeur d'Alene police officers following Monday's memorial on the 10th anniversary of the death of Sgt. Greg Moore.
  

    Bagpipers take part in Monday's memorial ceremony for Sgt. Greg Moore.
  

    Coeur d'Alene police officers salute during Monday's memorial for Sgt. Greg Moore.
  

    Officers participate in the memorial for Sgt. Greg Moore on Monday in Coeur d'Alene.
  

    A police officer walks under a large flag displayed at Monday's memorial for Sgt. Greg Moore.
  

    Lindy Moore and daughter Gemma sit near members of the Coeur d'Alene Police Department on Nonday.