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 a father and son, ages 53 and 29, 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 29-year-old shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. Census records show he was released at some point between 1910 and 1920. He died in a Rockingham County, New Hampshire, homeless shelter in 1943. His father received a short sentence.

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