KCPD And Shadow Buddies Team Up To Support Children

When children are at traumatic events and need extra emotional support, our officers will have Shadow Buddies for them, thanks to Officer Brian Caniglia.

Caniglia was an officer in Overland Park until 2019 before coming to KCPD. His former partner and friend, Officer Mike Mosher, was killed in the line of duty in 2020. Caniglia says that Mosher’s daughter is involved with the Shadow Buddies Foundation which has provided Buddies to hospitalized children since 1995.

Having recently created Buddies for first responders, Mosher’s daughter asked Caniglia if KCPD would be interested in the dolls. The answer was a resounding yes. KCPD’s Buddies even have our badge on the shirts.

Caniglia received the first donation in October, and KCPD has, to date, given out about 120 of these dolls to kids. The Buddies are donated and there are currently enough for East Patrol (where Caniglia is assigned), Metro Patrol, and Center Patrol.

“It helps get them (children) through the moment,” Caniglia said. “I’ve given a couple to kids and they really enjoy them.”

Learn more about the Lenexa-based nonprofit here - https://www.shadowbuddies.org/.