People tell stories about Graham Hoffman outside of station 42

Kansas City, Mo – Graham Hoffman, as a firefighter and paramedic for the fire brigade of Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri, made a quite name.

When people lined the street in front of his fire station, KSHB 41 found a few people with memories of their interactions with him.

People tell stories about Graham Hoffman outside of station 42

Jeffrey and Brandon Hays live not far from station 42. They arrived in time to see the procession.

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The couple described a surreal feeling when they saw in the news that Hoffman had been killed.

“I didn’t know the name, but I knew the face,” said Jeffrey.

As soon as he saw Hoffman in uniform, it clicked.

“Earlier in the evening they (KCFD) came into the house to take my mother to the hospital because we couldn’t get her out of the house. He (Graham) was the one who was so attentive … on his knees asked her questions and then saw what happened in the news the next day, and it shocked me,” said Hays.

Brandon said Hoffman’s procession was not a moment when they felt that they could miss.

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“We wanted to indicate respect because he didn’t have to do that. He only did his job, but he did his job well and deserves to be recognized for it,” said Brandon.

It was Hoffman’s helping spirit that made the jobs of Marissa Ortiz and her all-women crew a little easier.

Ortiz works in emergency services for AMR KC Metro, a company that transports patients from the hospital to their houses or other facilities. She brought flowers to show her respect.

“Graham helped us when we take patients home. He helped us with life support. I and my partner are both a purely female crew. His help and generosity have always been so nice,” she said.

Mickey lives in the same neighborhood as KCFD station 42. She combined with the Hays family about her interactions with KCFD.

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“I came and you (station 42) cut my finger and then it was really hot and I worked for Price Chopper. We had cases of water for sale, so I said, let me get some water,” she said. “I come to represent and say goodbye to a young man that I didn’t know, but I know this fire brigade.”

Mickey, the family of Hays and Ortiz, joined dozens of people who live in the neighborhood 42 or work for neighboring fire departments.

“For the fire brigade and everyone who appears today, her brother is in good hands. God got him,” said Mickey.

Hoffman would have turned 30 next week.

While many people mourn the young fireman/paramedic, they made Kansas City in the moments when he embodied what it meant to serve and protect.

“I felt something special as if it were good news from above,” said Jeffrey Hays. “I thank God, I lived and around during his time.”

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KSHB 41 Reporter Alyssa Jackson covers parts of the Johnson County, including Overland Park, Prairie Village and Leawood. Share your story idea with Alyssa.