Medal for Heroism
This Medal for Heroism recognizes outstanding bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of imminent danger, i.e., acts which involve great personal courage and risk to the recipient. It is intended primarily for acts by civilians not in uniform but does not exclude police, firemen, and SAR members. It is not intended to recognize acts that would have been covered by armed forces medals for valor. The medal may also be presented posthumously.
The recipient of this award for the year 2023 is:
Officer Daniel Francisco Vasquez
The Heroism Medal will be awarded posthumously in 2023 to Police Officer Daniel Vasquez, Officer Vasquez was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near the intersection of 21st Street and Clay Street, North Kansas Cityat about 10:40 am.
The driver of the vehicle shot Officer Vasquez before fleeing. A backup officer who arrived at the scene began CPR Officer Vasquez was transported to a nearby hospital. He succumbed to his wounds a short time later.
The subject who shot him turned himself in at the Kansas City Police Department approximately three hours later.
Officer Vasquez had served with the North Kansas City Police Department for two years. He is survived by his mother, father, two sisters, niece, nephew, and fiancee.
Officer Madrid-Evans
The Heroism Medal was awarded posthumously in 2022 to Independence Police Department Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans who was shot and critically wounded in the line of duty during an armed encounter. Officer Madrid-Evans succumbed to his injuries and passed away on September 15, 2021. Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans was shot and killed when he was dispatched to the 2300 block of South Northern Boulevard to check for a wanted subject at a residence at about 11:30 am.
As officers encountered the wanted subject the man opened fire and critically wounded Officer Madrid-Evans. Other officers on the scene returned fire and killed the subject.
Officer Madrid-Evans was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds later that evening.
Officer Madrid-Evans had graduated from the academy only two months earlier and was still in field training. He is survived by his parents and fiancée.
Officer Michael Shaun Mosher
The Heroism Medal was awarded posthumously in 2022 to Overland Park Police Department Officer Michael Shaun Mosher. He was off duty in uniform when he pursued a suspect after an apparent hit-and-run accident. Police reports say the suspect stopped his vehicle, Mosher approached, and a shootout began. Officer Mosher passed away from his wounds on May 3, 2020.
