Deputy Sheriff George W. Hoffman

George W. Hoffman

Deputy Hoffman died of a wound he received when he was shot as he attempted to arrest two men who had escaped from the County Jail. Deputy Hoffman and the Sheriff approached the suspects, who were sitting at a campfire in the woods surrounding the town of Woodstock around 7 a.m. One of the suspects opened fire, striking Deputy Hoffman. Both officers were able to return fire, but both suspects escaped.

Deputy Hoffman was taken to a local home and a doctor was sent for. He died from his wounds two days later.

The suspects were apprehended two weeks later after a shoot-out with deputies and charged with murder. The shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life.

Deputy Hoffman, who served in the U.S. Army Calvary, was survived by his wife.