According to the news last night, in addition to being shift-mates the two officers involved in this incident were also best friends. Prayers and best wishes to both families.

County Officer Injured By Fellow Officer Dies
Officer Graduated From Academy Last Year

POSTED: 6:14 am EDT April 26, 2007
UPDATED: 7:01 am EDT April 26, 2007

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- A Montgomery County police officer who was gravely injured while chasing a man on foot suspected of driving under the influence has died, authorities said.

Police officials said 24-year-old Patrol Officer First Class Luke Hoffman was struck by a patrol car driven by another officer.

Slideshow: View Images From Scene

Police spokesman Lt. Eric Burnett said the incident happened about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 14700 block of Old Georgia Avenue.

The driver drove into the parking lot of an apartment complex at Dunsinane Drive and Tynewich Drive, opposite Leisure World, police said. The man then bailed out of his vehicle and began to run.

Police said the pursuing officer got out of his cruiser and ran after the man, who was heading along a wood line toward Old Georgia Avenue.

It was at that time, Burnett said, that another police vehicle responding to help struck the officer on foot as he was crossing Old Georgia Avenue.

Burnett said the striking police cruiser then went off the road and hit a tree.

Both officers were flown to the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Burnett said. The officer in the cruiser suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Burnett described Old Georgia Avenue as a dark, dimly lit, hilly, curvy road. He said the second officer didn't see the one on foot until it was too late.

Officials said Hoffman graduated from the Montgomery County Police Academy last July. He was also a graduate of McDaniel College and was trained as a firefighter and an emergency medical technician.

Police are still looking for the man suspected of DUI. They believe they know his identity and have encouraged him to turn himself in.

Stay with News4 and nbc4.com for complete coverage.

Previous Stories:

April 25, 2007: Police: Officer Hit By Cruiser In Grave Condition

Copyright 2007 by nbc4.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.