‘He was the man I want to be more like’: Loved ones remember fallen KCFD paramedic Graham Hoffman

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - An outpouring of love and support continues for fallen KCFD firefighter and paramedic Graham Hoffman.

Hoffman, 29, was killed in the line of duty Sunday when a patient he was transporting to the hospital stabbed him in the chest.

Shanetta Bossell, 38, of Kansas City, has been charged with murder in the first degree and armed criminal action.

“It still doesn’t feel real that my friend is gone,” said Adam Campbell.

Campbell and Hoffman met in college at Northwest Missouri State and quickly formed a strong bond.

“He was the man I want to be more like,” Campbell said. “He was my best friend in collage, my roommate and a man who would be in my wedding one day.”

Campbell said Hoffman was in his prime and seemed to have everything going for him. He had just bought a house and was in a serious relationship.

“Graham was a special person, he impacted a lot of people’s lives,” Campbell said. “He was loved by so many. He was one of those people, and when he walked into the room, he lit up the room. He had friends everywhere; he just had that type of charisma and that type of smoothness.”

Hoffman was dedicated to his job. That was evident as he often worked overtime, like he was on that fatal shift.

“Graham selflessly served our community; he wasn’t even supposed to pick up the shift when the incident occurred,” Campbell said.

Campbell said it hasn’t sunk in that his friend was taken senselessly.

“For me right now, the grief and the emotion is coming in waves,” Campbell said. “Sometimes, I bawl my eyes out; sometimes, I’m proud; sometimes, I’m angry that this even happened to him. I’m still expecting him to just pop up out of nowhere and be like this is a joke.”

Kansas City Fire Department announces funeral arrangements for Graham Hoffman

KCTV5 also spoke with one of Hoffman’s high school teachers, Russ McDaniels, who was his speech teacher at Park Hill South.

“He always has a lot of friends, people around him, who seemed to like him, enjoyed being around him, always had a smile on his face, and seemed to always be in a good mood,” McDaniels said.

He wasn’t surprised when Hoffman became a firefighter and parametric.

“Being a parametric, someone who is working to help others, it’s a calling, and I think if you knew Graham when he was in high school, or even if you didn’t know him and you read his social media and things about how he would give the shirt off his back to someone to help them,” McDaniels said. “I don’t think it’s out of the imagination that he would choose a profession like that and do it well.”

Since Hoffman’s tragic death, people from around the world have shown love and support for his family.

Joe Eddings, owner of E2 Embroidery and Screen Printing and retired KCFD firefighter, made a shirt in honor of Hoffman.

“It’s kind of a runaway thing. We are really happy to be a part of it, to give back, and to do what we can for the family in this time of tragedy,” Eddings said.

The shirt is $15, and all the proceeds will go directly to the Hoffman family.

“Graham was a good guy, he was a civil servant, and he was a selfless hero,” Eddings said. “He took the responsibility of doing a job that may require sacrifice, and he made the ultimate sacrifice, so let’s not forget him.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, they’ve raised over $85,000, and the shirt has been purchased all around the world.

“Believe it or not, sometimes it can be a powerful tool when the community comes together,” Eddings said.

The shirt is available to purchase online until May 9.

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