Phoenix Officer Shot In the Line Of Duty Comes Home

PHOENIX, AZ — Tyler Moldovan, the Phoenix police officer shot eight times in the line of duty in December finally came home on Thursday.

Moldovan was shot Dec. 14 while he investigated reports of vehicles driving erratically, police said.

On Thursday, Moldovan flew into the Deer Valley Airport and was taken home in a medical van. Moldovan, who exited the plane in a wheelchair with an oxygen cannula on his face, smiled as he was greeted by a line of Phoenix police officers clapping and cheering for his return.

"I miss the job," Moldovan said after exiting the plane, according to a video from the Phoenix Police Department.

Moldovan, who was 22 when he was shot, just graduated from the police academy in March 2021.

Moldovan suffered extensive neurologic injuries and was still on a ventilator nearly a month after the shooting, his wife Chelsea had previously said in a Facebook post.

Moldovan was moved from St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix to a rehabilitation facility in the end of January.

The medical van made its way from the airport with Thursday with an escort of motorcycle officers, passing a long line of police cars with lights flashing and officers cheering.

"The Moldovan family is so appreciative for the support they have received," Phoenix police said. in a news release. "They ask for privacy once they arrive home, as Officer Moldovan continues on the road of recovery."

Essa Williams, 24, is the accused shooter, according to police. He has been in Maricopa County Jail since December, being held on $3 million bond, according to jail records. Williams is charged with attempted first degree murder, aggravated assault using a deadly weapon and several weapons violations. He pleaded not guilty on Jan. 4. His trial is set for Aug. 23.