Nearly 6 months after shooting, Phoenix Officer Tyler Moldovan returns home

PHOENIX – Nearly six months after he almost lost his life in a shooting, Phoenix Police Officer Tyler Moldovan returned home Thursday.

Moldovan was critically wounded in mid-December 2021. He was put on life support and wasn’t expected to survive, according to court documents.

But he defied the odds and was moved from a hospital to a rehabilitation facility in late January.

WELCOME HOME OFFICER TYLER MOLDOVAN! 🎉

A little over 5 months ago, Officer Tyler Moldovan was shot multiple times while on duty. Since then, he's been in an out-of-state rehab facility. Today, he returned home. The ENTIRE department couldn't be more proud of you, Tyler! pic.twitter.com/y2jNnyaoB2

— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) June 2, 2022

Moldovan flew into Deer Valley Airport on Thursday, arriving around noon, the Phoenix Police Department said.

Well-wishers gathered on the west side of Seventh Avenue, south of Deer Valley Road, to view the ambulance on its way to the freeway.

The Moldovan family requested privacy after Tyler’s home home so he can continue his recovery.

Moldovan was shot multiple times near 15th Avenue and Camelback Road just after 2 a.m. on Dec. 14 as officers searched for the driver of one of several cars reportedly driving erratically in the area.

Moldovan was unresponsive when his colleagues came to his aid.

The suspect, 24-year-old Essa Williams, was taken into custody. He was later indicted on multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.

Moldovan was 22 at the time of the shooting and had been on the force for less than a year. He graduated from the police academy in March 2021.

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