Family dedicates Habitat home to Fargo Police Officer Moszer

Habitat for Humanity volunteers, including Moszer's widow, Rachel Moszer, helped build the new house where the home of the shooter who shot and killed Moszer in February 2016 once stood on Ninth Avenue North.

The project known as the "Hero Build" was dedicated on Thursday. The living room was full to capacity with John's family, neighbors, volunteers who helped build the home, Mayor Mahoney, Police Chief David Todd, and many others who contributed to the cause with donations and support.

A short film was shown to raise awareness about Giving Hearts Day and encouraging people to donate to Habitat for Humanity on Feb. 8. John family members received housewarming gifts such as handmade quilts, toys and books, and a key to their new house, making John a homeowner for the first time.

"If it wasn't for Habitat, I would've been trapped in the cycle of renting, and it's unlikely that I ever would have been able to afford to buy my own house," John said. "Having a community that I didn't grow up in rally around me really makes Fargo feel like home."

Before she was chosen as the recipient of the house, she felt she had no other options. John, a sex trafficking survivor, now works as a human trafficking specialist for a nonprofit that helps victims escape the abuse she once faced.

Habitat for Humanity plans to build and donate three more homes in summer 2018.