Dec 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 12

and transported to a hospital,
the Los Angeles Times reports.
“These were all individuals
who were known to each other
as lifelong friends,” said LAPD
Chief Michel Moore, who called
the incident an act of “senseless
violence” by the driver of the
other vehicle. He said the department
would do everything
possible to support Cunningham
Shamily’s “fiancée, two young
boys, mom & two brothers.”
FLA. DEPUTY INJURED WHEN
PURSUED DRIVER HITS CRUIS-
ER HEAD-ON WITH STOLEN
U-HAUL
By Joanna Putman
Police1
LEE COUNTY, Fla. — A deputy
was injured after the driver of a
stolen U-Haul drove in the wrong
lane directly at cruisers, according
to a Lee County Sheriff’s
Office Facebook post.
The pursuit began on Nov. 2
when a license plate reader determined
the U-Haul was stolen.
When deputies approached the
U-Haul at a gas station, the driver
and one passenger fled.
At one point, deputies, who
were not a part of the initial
pursuit, drove towards the fleeing
vehicle while other cruisers
pursued from behind, according
to the post.
The U-Haul crossed the road’s
center line and drove at the
cruisers in the wrong lane. It
struck one cruiser, continued to
drive recklessly and hit another
cruiser head-on.
The deputy involved in the
head-on collision was injured by
the impact and taken to the hospital,
according to the post.
The U-Haul came to a stop
and the driver, Michael Kurpaska,
was arrested on charges of
aggravated battery, criminal
mischief, hit and run with damage
and felon in possession of
ammunition. The passenger fled
the scene and is still at large.
ARIZ. OFFICER SHOT 8 TIMES
IN 2021 DELIVERS WORLD SE-
RIES GAME 5’S FIRST PITCH
By Joanna Putman, Police1
PHOENIX — Tyler Moldovan, a
former officer who was severely
wounded in the line of duty,
received a standing ovation at
the World Series after throwing
Game 5’s first pitch, 12 News
reported.
After working for the Phoenix
Police Department for only
a few months, Moldovan was
shot eight times, including in the
head.
He was not expected to survive
his injuries, according to the
report, but has made a “miraculous”
recovery. He was released
from the hospital and able to
return home last summer.
Moldovan also opened the
Diamondbacks season in April,
64 The Blues 40th Anniversary Issue