Graham Hoffman, 29, was the embodiment of selfless service for others. He proudly served the Metro Area for six years, the last three with the Kansas City Fire Department, most recently at Station 42. He had a passion and commitment to serving others. Prior to serving Kansas City, with the Kansas City Fire Department, he first started his firefighting career with the Belton Fire Department. Belton’s Fire Department described Hoffman as, ‘a genuine soul filled with tons of potential.’  The Kansas City Fire Department echoes those same high praises, saying he likely ran between 3,500 and 4,000 calls for service.

Paikowski was Hoffman’s instructor when he joined KCFD in 2022. He described Hoffman as on of his favorite students. “He challenged me as much as I challenged him. I absolutely loved him,” he shared. “All he wanted to do was learn. Be a sponge. It was amazing to watch him progress through the program so well. He was an excellent student.” Adding patients and peers loved Hoffman for who he was along with the care he provided. “He was just amazing in every way.”

Graham was “Somebody that was always going to do the right thing no matter what. No matter if it was three in the afternoon or three in the morning. He was going to be there taking care of you and your family.”

Hoffman was stabbed over the weekend by a patient he was transporting to the hospital. KCFD says the call was for a welfare check after a woman was seen walking the westbound lanes of 152 Highway. When emergency responders arrived, they took the woman in the ambulance, and while on the way to the hospital, the woman stabbed Hoffman in the chest.

Colleagues and those close to Hoffman remember him as compassionate, outgoing and courageous. Hoffman was a skilled paramedic whose calm and caring presence in the face of chaos allowed him to save many lives.