Graham Jeffrey Hoffman was a firefighter paramedic for the Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) and a union brother in IAFF Local 42.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, April 27th, Hoffman was serving the public, transporting a patient to a local hospital in, what should have been, a routine medical call from the Kansas City, MO Police Department. (KCPD) According to the city, he “was critically injured after being stabbed in the chest, piercing his heart.”
Hoffman’s partner, who was also injured by the patient, initiated a crew emergency, with additional KCFD and KCPD personnel dispatched to the scene. Kansas City Fire Department members worked feverishly to save his life while transporting him to North Kansas City Hospital. Graham was taken into the emergency room and then into the intensive care unit, where, despite valiant and heroic efforts from his Local 42 family and the hospital medical team, he succumbed to his injuries.
Hoffman, a graduate of Park Hill South, was just 29 years old. He would have turned 30 on May 9th. He had joined the fire department in 2022, completed his Paramedic education on March 16th, 2023, and had a promising future within the Fire Department ahead of him. He was stationed at Station 42 and was working overtime the night of his death. He was our union brother.
His shocking loss has sent ripples across the metro and has been met with an outpouring of sympathy. The City of Kansas City, MO now asks for privacy for Firefighter Paramedic Hoffman’s family. KCFD will offer grief counseling and support to department members in need. First responders, like firefighters and paramedics, serve in particular dangerous and emotionally challenging roles.
“On behalf of our entire Local 42 family, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Brothers and Sisters in Labor for the overwhelming outpouring of support and kindness following the tragic loss of Firefighter Paramedic Graham Hoffman. Your solidarity has been a source of strength for our members and the Hoffman family during an incredibly difficult time,” said Dan Heizman, President of IAFF Local 42.
IAFF General President Edward Kelly interviewed with KCTV 5, telling them, “Day in and day out, our firefighters and paramedics are being assaulted by individuals that quite frankly feel that they have entitlement to attack us… We need to make sure we’re protecting ourselves and society is holding people accountable.”
“Anyone who works in emergency services knows that assaults and attacks happen while trying to serve the public.Graham was just trying to help. I’ve been in a back of an ambulance, I’ve been in fights in the back, it’s tiny, its cramped, there is no where to go. The whole situation is just tragic,” said Duke Dujakovich, a retired member of KCFD and current president of the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO. “All of labor’s heart goes out to our fallen union brother, to IAFF Local 42, and his family.”
Kansas City, MO Mayor Quinton Lucas put out the following statement: “I am heartbroken by the loss of Firefighter Paramedic Graham Hoffman. After praying for his recovery this morning with his family and colleagues, I join all Kansas Citians in mourning the loss of a heroic public servant. At just 29, Graham embodied Kansas City’s finest quality – selfless service for others. That he was taken from us while working to save lives makes this loss all the more painful.”
“To Graham’s family, friends, and Kansas City Fire Department brothers and sisters: Words cannot ease your grief, but Kansas City stands with you, mourns with you, and will support you through the difficult days ahead.”
“This senseless act reminds us of the dangers our first responders face each day. The suspect remains in custody as the police department works with the Clay County Prosecutor toward charges. We will demand accountability be applied not just to the suspect, but also for any steps in the system that fell short. I ask all Kansas Citians to keep the Hoffman family and our brave first responders in your prayers.”
Patient Arrested and Charged
Shanetta Bossell, 38, was arrested and charged with murder in the first degree and armed criminal action. She, reportedly, was seen wandering on the highway near 152 Highway and North Oak Trafficway which prompted the call. Bossell had been arrested several times in the past, including for allegedly biting a Platte City Police Department officer on Wednesday, April 23rd. She remains behind bars on a $1 million bond.
Tristin Amezcua-Hogan is the Editor of The Labor Beacon and a member of LIUNA Local 264. Tristin also serves as the Director of Communications for the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO and the Chair of the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance.
Tristin grew up as the son of a UA Local 669 member in Tecumseh, KS and the great-nephew of George C. Amis, longtime leader of the United Rubberworkers (now USW Local 307) in Kansas. Growing up in rural Kansas as the child of teen parents, Tristin quickly came to appreciate the life-changing benefit of a union job.
Tristin and his partner, Rebeca Amezcua-Hogan, are residents of the Westside, Kansas City, MO's historic Mexican neighborhood. They are proud members of Kansas City's New Reform Temple.
