Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Hoffman, you are an inspiration to me and i look forward to serving the deparment as much as you did! Thank You so much!!!
You Will Always Be Remembered!

Intern
MCPD

March 11, 2008

I miss you so,
Seems like it's been forever,
That you've been gone.
Where'd you go?
I miss you so,
Seems like it's been forever,
That you've been gone,
Please come back home...

Friend

March 2, 2008

luke, we miss you so much....think about u everyday and I wish you were here, love you brother!!!!

sister

January 25, 2008

Luke, you are not forgotten. We miss you.

MCP/ 4D

January 17, 2008

Luke,

Still thinking about you everyday and wishing you were still here. Words can't describe how much I miss you.

Love you always

January 14, 2008

Still thinking about you Luke. I can't imagine how hard the holidays must be for your family. Send them a sign that you're ok.
6D/Shift 7

Officer
MCP

December 31, 2007

Merry Christmas Luke! Remembering and missing you, especially now. I know you were with us during the shift party and looking over us. Keep us safe and know that we are always thinking of you.

4D/Shift 8
MCPD

December 27, 2007

Luke,
You were a huge impact in my life... you were there to listen to me when i wanted to talk. heres to you... merry christmas buddy

friend
wfvfd

December 26, 2007

Your sacrifice will not be forgotten this Holiday, nor any other.

PO3
MCP / 3D

December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas My Love!

December 25, 2007

Hey Luke, Although I never got the chance to meet you, I still wear the black wrist band in your memory. When I'm on patrol, I know you are watching over me and our brothers an sisters. Take care Luke, your police family misses you....

David
TPS

December 22, 2007

We're wearing the new black uniforms. You would have loved them. This saturday is the christmas party, can't believe you're not going to be there. we are still thinking about you and remembering you.

December 10, 2007

luke...tonight we would have celebrated your 25th birthday. it's not fair that we were out without you tonight. it breaks my heart. every day that passes i miss you more and more. i keep with me always all the memories that we shared. you are with me always and i dream of the day when i will see you again. i will never forget you, my best friend, and i will love you always.

friend

November 24, 2007

Luke,

Thinking of you today, on your birthday, as I do every day. I miss you more than words can say. Please continue to smile down on us as we smile up to you.

Debbie
a friend

November 23, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 12, 2007

I was speaking to some of the members of the shift you trained on just last night. You are remembered not only in their words and memories, but in the badges, magnets and wristbands that numerous officers wear on their person, uniform and cruisers. Your memory carries on, and you touched many in your short time here.

Gone but never forgotten...

GPD

October 31, 2007

What a tragic year this has been for Montogmery County and Howard County. My prayers go out to Luke's family. I did not know him but I worked with his sister and I cannot even to imagine the pain she is going through. I have a brother and a cousin that are both Howard County officers and I could not even begin to imagine the pain. Luke, rest in peace your brothers are keeping watch down here.

Melisa Duncan Dispatcher
Howard County Police Department

October 30, 2007

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Officer Hoffman. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Luke, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Luke's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Luke's life was about so much more than the way he died. Luke will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Hoffman, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been almost five years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

October 28, 2007

Luke,

We stood guard over the wreath at the LEO Memorial in DC in your honor last week. I'm sure you were looking down on us, with that huge grin of yours. I was so proud of those I was with- they did an excellent job- and I hope you were proud of us too. You are missed terribly. Keep watch over your family, your shift, and every other brother/sister in uniform.

October 19, 2007

Luke,

I can't believe it has been almost 6 months since you left us. I look at your pictures in operations, the kitchen, and the roll call room at the 4D station and still can't believe that you are really gone. It tears me up inside when I think about it. Know that we love you and miss you as much today as we did on the horrible night we had to say goodbye to you. And please keep watching over your brothers on the road.

MCPD 4D Shift 8

October 7, 2007

Hard to believe it's already been 5 months. So much has happened. You are still loved and missed. I still can't listen to that one song without thinking of you...

Keep watch over your brothers in blue.

September 29, 2007

Hello my friend. Still thinking about you and missing you everyday. I take comfort in knowing that you are taking care of us. I ask you to watch over Brad. Today, he lost one of his friends and a fellow Marshal. I will try to help him through it the best I can. Please stand by him and the other Marshals and help them through this tragedy. You are loved always

September 19, 2007

Luke, I think about you every day. I know it has been over four months but it still seems like yesterday we were sitting at the table shooting the breeze. I think back to when I first got the call from Montgomery County's personnel department. I remember the last thing I told her was that Montgomery County didn't want to hire you. It was humorous to hear her voice say "well I don't understand after everything you just told us about Mr. Hoffman he would be a fine addition to our department". I remember laughing and saying, "Montgomery County can't have him because we want him in Howard County". Words cannot begin to express how much I miss you. Please continue to look down on us for we are looking up at you.

Love Ya!

Debbie
Friend

September 13, 2007

Rest easy brother, you've earned it.

PGPD

September 8, 2007

I only knew Luke for a brief period of time, not enough time really. I see the pain on so many people's faces even after four months. You touched so many people it amazes me. I can only hope to be able to touch half as many. Your memory will never wane from those around the firehouse as I'm sure at the police station. You obviously are the definition of friend and brother.

MFF/P Chuck Stillings
HCFD/WFVFD

August 28, 2007