Trafalgar Police Officer Dustin Moody is pictured with his son. Moody, who is described as a good cop and an even better man, is recovering after a severe accident on duty.
Submitted Photo
People from all over Johnson County have shown support for a Trafalgar police officer and his family following an on-duty accident in June.
Trafalgar Police Officer Dustin Moody, 30, of Greenwood was severely injured during an early morning pursuit on June 25. Moody was hospitalized with severe injuries and Jacob G. “Jake” Roberts, 23, of Nineveh, was killed after both crashed into the embankment at the T-intersection of County Road 300 South and 600 West.
Community members have created donation accounts, held raffles, and held shop- or dine-to-donate events to show their appreciation and support for both families. The outpouring of support for Moody is has been inspiring and overwhelming for his colleagues and for Trafalgar Police Chief Charles Roberts.
Moody is doing well after multiple surgeries, but he still has a long recovery ahead of him. He is taking it one day at a time and has been doing a great job about keeping his faith up, Roberts said.
“We are overwhelmed with joy with how everyone is supporting and reaching out and praying for his family,” Roberts said.
People have also been sending thoughts and prayers to Trafalgar police and sharing what they love about Moody from their encounters with him on the job.
“We want to thank everyone for their outreach towards Officer Moody and I want to tell everyone to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers,” Roberts said.
Bailey and Wood Mortgage Lenders have donated $2,000 and several local businesses including Trafalgar Discount Fireworks, Brave Nutrition and Small Town Pizza and Subs have held donation events. Other public safety agencies, have sent their support or sent get well gifts for Moody and his family.
Ashley and Kevin Chaney created #MoodyStrong bracelets so his supporters can wear it with pride. The bracelets bear his name and the Bible verse Joshua 1:9, which encourages people to be strong and have courage through God’s presence.
“We thought the bracelet would be a great idea for not only raising money to help the Moody family, but also to physically show support for him as well. We’re so proud to have him as a police officer in our town,” Ashley Chaney said.
The Chaneys are long-time friends of Moody, they said. Kevin Chaney is Trafalgar firefighter and said he has a brotherhood with Moody and his colleagues — they all serve the common cause of keeping the town safe. Ashley Chaney has also worked with Moody when she worked for the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office.
“We consider Officer Moody a good friend and were devastated by what happened,” Ashley Chaney said. “He is an amazing cop and even better human. We both felt so helpless as we waited for updates on his condition.”
This gesture is the least they can do to show support for Moody and his family, Ashley Chaney said. The bracelets come in a few sizes and each bracelet is $3. All proceeds will fund Moody’s recovery and his family’s expenses.
Two fundraising events are also being held later this month.
At 6 a.m. to noon July 23 a pancake breakfast fundraiser will be held at the Trafalgar Fire Department, 2784 W. State Road 252. On the same day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Street Dreams, 251 N. State Road 135, will host a car and motorcycle show fundraiser for Moody, where t-shirts, hamburgers lunches and raffle tickets will be sold to benefit his family.
To keep track of Moody’s progress and learn how to give back, visit the Trafalgar Police Department Facebook page.
