The Kansas City Star
(TNS)
One of the Bible verses on the wall outside Pleasant Valley Baptist Church’s sanctuary is from the Book of Matthew, a verse that embodies how officials and loved ones described slain Kansas City firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman.
The verse, from chapter 7, verse 12, reads: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Dozens of firefighters and first responders from local agencies, to first responders from as far as California, filled the church and lined the the sanctuary walls Friday to honor Hoffman, who was killed in the line of duty April 27, after he was fatally stabbed by a patient he was treating in an ambulance.
During the public visitation, hundreds paid their respects to Hoffman while the lobby buzzed with first responder brotherhood. Hugs, handshakes, back slaps and well wishes spread throughout the building as attendees coped with the loss of one of their own.
Hoffman’s casket was open, with his firefighter jacket and helmet standing up next to him, and an American flag draped over his casket. Flowers, shaped into Kansas City Fire Department insignia, were displayed in the pulpit and on both sides of the casket.
First responders and loved ones signed Kansas City Fire Department signs commemorating Hoffman outside the sanctuary.
During the funeral, Hoffman’s older brother, Noah, said he always looked up to his younger brother and recollected on his loving spirit in the family’s first public comment since Hoffman’s death.
“He is a walking angel,” Noah said during his emotional speech. “People always say you can give the shirt off his back. He is the person that would have done that.”
The elder sibling recalled how Hoffman was good at everything he did, and was always a competitor in sports.
As kids, the brothers played with each other in sports, like homemade mini golf and wiffleball games, and camped in their backyard, ringing neighbors’ doorbells and running away, known to many as the classic game, Ding Dong Ditch.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who spoke first at the funeral, mentioned Hoffman’s beaming smile and generous, kind personality that loved ones conveyed to him in the days since Hoffman’s death. Lucas was one of several public officials who attended the service, including members of the Kansas City City Council, Jackson County legislature, and prosecutors for Jackson County and Clay County.
“Based on everything I’ve heard about Graham from those who knew him best, it should not be a challenge to keep his memory alive, and indeed, we all will make sure that we continue to do that,” Lucas said.
‘One of his best’
Hoffman was 29 years old, and joined the Kansas City Fire Department in 2022. He was stationed at Station 42 in southeast Kansas City and was working overtime in Kansas City’s Northland at the time of his death.
Hoffman started his career working for Belton Fire Department, whose officials were in attendance, and joined Kansas City Fire during one of the biggest staffing shortages in department history, Kansas City Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said during his speech.
“I remember getting a call from the Belton chief, and he was grumbling to me that I was taking one of his best young men,” Grundyson said. “I was so glad to have Graham on our team during his time at KC.”
Hoffman was a skilled paramedic who saved many lives while remaining calm and compassionate, Grundyson said.
On April 27, Hoffman was sent with a partner on a routine call to the area of North Oak Trafficway and MO-152 around 1 a.m. Hoffman was treating the patient in the ambulance on the way to the hospital when he was allegedly stabbed in the heart by the woman they had been called to transport.
The woman, identified as Shanetta Bossell, allegedly also tried to steal the ambulance after the act and bit the police officer who tried to stop her, just days after being arrested for biting another off-duty officer in another incident, for which she was deemed a danger to the public.
Bossell has been charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, third-degree assault of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest in the death of Hoffman in Clay County. Bossell has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lucas pledged to get justice for the fallen firefighter, and to make sure Hoffman’s name is known.
“Graham, in many ways, is the best of Kansas City,” Lucas said.
Hoffman has already received tributes throughout the state.
On the night of his death, Union Station displayed red, gold, and black, the colors of the Kansas City Fire Department crest. Fundraisers have raised over $100,000 for Hoffman’s family.
On Friday, American and Missouri flags were flown at half-staff at government buildings in Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties, the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City, and firehouses statewide.
Hoffman would have turned 30 on May 9.
Lead with love
Bagpipes and drums from several local and state agencies, including the Olathe Fire Department and the Springfield Fire Department, rang like a chorus throughout the sanctuary as “Amazing Grace” was played towards the end of the ceremony.
Uniformed officials put on their caps and wiped away their tears during the soulful rendition. The same bagpipes played as Hoffman’s casket was walked outside with family and loved ones in front of more than 100 saluting first responders after the service ended.
The casket was placed onto a Station 42 fire truck, the first vehicle to begin the procession that drove under a giant waving American flag outside of the church, held high by two KCFD pumper trucks. The procession, which wound through the metro and passed by Station 42, featured local agencies using flashing lights on their vehicles.
But before his final journey, those at the funeral were reminded to honor Hoffman by embracing the positivity he was known for, even in this time of tragedy.
Rev. Adam James, a deacon at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, performed a eulogy focused on balancing mournful emotions of rage and anger with Hoffman’s love-centered attitude, which James called Christ-like. Hoffman’s girlfriend told James that the fallen firefighter would not want people to be angry at Bossell, James said.
“She said, ‘You can be mad, but you’ll have to let that go. Graham would want you to turn this negative into a positive,” James said.
Hoffman’s giving spirit is also reflected in his decision to be an organ donor. His organs, donated through Midwest Transplant Network, are estimated to impact more than 100 lives, Grundyson said.
Noah Hoffman said he never wanted to bury his little brother, but telling people how much Hoffman meant to him was the highlight of his week. He thanked everyone for their love and support.
“Just seeing all you guys look up here, I mean, just makes me feel so good,” Noah said. “And just having these fleeting moments of bliss are so good for me and my family. So I just want you guys to know how much it means to us all. Everything you guys have all done it’s been wonderful.”
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