Who was Graham Hoffman? ‘A genuine soul’ and ‘leader on and off the job’
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - First responding agencies are ing the life of a paramedic who died Sunday morning after he was fatally stabbed while transporting a patient.
Graham Hoffman, 29, was a paramedic/firefighter for the Kansas City Fire Department.
The Shanetta Bossell, walking on the highway. Callers had been concerned for her safety.
Responding officers said they located Bossell and ultimately requested EMS for further treatment. EMS began a transport to Saint Luke’s North Hospital, but about 1:25 a.m., she stabbed Hoffman in the ambulance, the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office reported.
The ambulance stopped, and police took Bossell into custody.
Documents: Woman charged with killing Graham Hoffman bit officer, tried to take ambulance
Officials stated that Bossell had stabbed Hoffman in the heart, and he died from his injuries at North Kansas City Hospital. The knife was recovered from the ambulance.
Hoffman’s death has left the first responder community in the Kansas City area heartbroken.
KCTV5 spoke to Paul Paikowski, the EMS Division Chief with KCFD. He was also Hoffman’s instructor.
“It’s tough, it really hurts,” Paikowski said.
Hoffman was one of his favorite students, saying he was the ideal firefighter and paramedic.
“From his appearance, you would go, this is a man that takes his job very seriously,” Paikowski said. “Incredible to watch, he turned out to be phenomenal, patients loved him, peers loved him, he was just amazing in every way.”
Hoffman was always wanting to learn and get better, something that made him stand out.
“He never got a complaint in three years; I never got a complaint on that man, ever,” Paikowski said. “All I heard was what a good job he did, and that’s amazing.”
Paikowski says they’re all processing his death differently, holding back anger and frustration.
“He was actually murdered, and that’s what really upsets me,” Paikowski said.
Now they wear a black stripe over their badges for Hoffman, who Paikowski said should still be here, ready to go out on his next call.
“I think everyone is going to miss him just because of his camaraderie, how he was just around the station,” Paikowski said. “He took everything so seriously. He really cared about his peers and his patients. He cared about the department; he cared about everything.”
The Belton Fire Department stated that Hoffman began his firefighting career with the agency, and a statement spoke glowingly of Hoffman’s character.
The Kansas City Fire Department described the fallen paramedic as a “dedicated professional” and someone beloved by his peers.
“Graham was a vibrant individual who loved life and loved serving his community,” said KCFD Fire Chief Ross Grundyson. “He was an excellent paramedic. He treated his patients with the highest level of skill and comion.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas shared his thoughts on the tragedy Sunday evening.
“Graham was 29 years old, someone who had an exceptional life ahead of him, and he died doing something that was so impactful and important to all of us, serving the community,” Lucas told of the media. “There will be many steps ahead as we evaluate what happened, as we review what occurred, as we address whatever needs to happen in the future. But today I’m focused on grieving for his mother, his father, his sibling, his family and everyone in the KCFD family.”
KCFD stated that funeral details will be provided in the coming days. The Hoffman family has asked for privacy at this time.
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