Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May our Lord comfort the famililes of both officers and especially the officer in the patrol car that injured Officer Hoffman

Civilian, Jerry D. Ledbetter

April 30, 2007

I was raised at Mrs. Jeanie's (Luke's mom) day-care since I was 3 months old. We have stayed very close all of these years. And even though he already is brother to three others and two sisters, I feel Luke was my brother as well, as many more of his friends do. I can not tell you how honored I am after seeing the respect and consideration shown from the community, and from the surrounding brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. There is not enough you can say about Luke, he was just always doing the right thing, making good decisions, and having a enjoying life to the fullest along the way.
A short story of Luke's dedication to his friends:
A few years ago I went to visit a friend at WVU for the weekend. I rode with another fellow and that night we went out on the town. My buddy that drove ended up getting a ticket and the next morning he decided he wanted to go home. Well me being the stubborn guy that I am decided I was going to stay till Sunday came and not worry about it. Well Sunday came and I was like out of money, and really in a bind. I decided if I called my mom she was not going to be too please so I had to find another way. If anyone would pull this rescue mission for me I knew who it would be. I called Luke and told him the story. He said he would think about it and get back to me. Ten minutes Later Luke called back "I'm on my way Rock."

I'll never forget you brother. I love you, may your spirit live on.

Close Life Long Friend

April 30, 2007

ON BEHALF OF ALL THE OFFICERS OF SECURITAS SERVICES SECURITY CO . GOD HAD A SPECIAL VESE FOR OFFICER L.HOFFMAN AND ONE WE'LL SEE HIM AGAIN IN HEAVEN . HE WATCHING OVER US AND KEEPING US SAFE.PLEASE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I.
JOHNNY TAYLOR
SECURITAS SECURITY SERVICES
DALLAS TEXAS .

SECURITY OFFICER
SECURITAS SERVICE INS.

April 30, 2007

May God bless you and your wonderful family!!

Deputy Sheriff
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Maryland

April 30, 2007

I wish to express my sadness and condolences to Officer Hoffman's family and to the Montgomery County Police Department. I live in Apsen Hill, so I truly appreciate officer Hoffman and all of the officers for the good work that they do.

I am sorry I was unable to attend the services for Officer Hoffman. By all reckoning he was an outstanding individual.

I also hope that everyone involved in this tragedy can heal.

Respectfully, Nicholas Breul
Sgt. MPDC

Sergeant Nicholas Breul
Metropolitan Police Department

April 30, 2007

Our young men should not have to die so young. This is a dangerous job and we should all remember that. Thank you, officer Hoffman for your service to our country.

Captain Michael Becker
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Michigan/183rd. FBINA

April 30, 2007

Luke you were a great person and a great friend. You will be missed greatly and never forgotten. May you rest in peace brother. We all love you.

JR Bilney

JR Bilney
Friend

April 30, 2007

May God hold you In the palm of His hand.

MCP Detective

April 30, 2007

During this most difficult time for the family and friends of both officers involved, know that your brothers and sisters are with you in prayers and thought. May God bless you all.

Sgt. Jim Gilpin
Kenton County Police Dept., KY

April 30, 2007

May God be with you and your family. Hero's like you will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace.

Wanda Ryan, Reserve Deputy
Reeves County SO, TX

April 30, 2007

Our Brother is Gone

Today is the day my brother was laid to rest. Today at the service, many of my other brothers were present. We gather, of late, much too often like this; these brothers of mine and I.

Today, the rows and rows of blue, of green and grey, the rows of brothers; each of us with a saddened heart, a lump in our throats, and no matter how hard we try to keep it from showing, each of us with tears in our eyes. Because today my brother was laid to rest, and today we feel once again the loss of someone of whom we could be proud, to whom we could relate, someone who cared, who understood, who loved and was loved. We shall miss our brother, but we, unlike many, will not let the passing of time cause us to forget him. We, unlike many, do not forget, because today when my brother was laid to rest, so also was a part of each of us.

Words can be written and songs can be sung, but there is no way that the deep personal sense of loss, the sincere caring, the ability to relate and truly feel the loss of a brother can accurately be expressed.

My brothers have come today from close and far. My brothers have come today because they want to be here, because they feel the same deep emotional loss that I feel. No fraternal order of men can feel more genuine concern or emotion for a brother and his family than these brothers of mine.

Today, when my brother was laid to rest, I was sad and yet proud. Sad and moved by the loss of a brother. Sad and feeling for his family and friends, but proud of him for his chosen career and proud to be a member of the Brotherhood of Police.

Tomorrow, there will be other brothers of mine laid to rest. Tomorrow, there will be other widows and children to mourn their loved one, and I and my brothers know that we also will be there to mourn or perhaps be mourned. This we can accept because it is the Lord who controls the destiny of my brother and me.

Written by Retired Montgomery County Police Captain Douglas L. McFee, Sr. for the funeral of
Montgomery County Police Detective Lieutenant Donald A. Robertson (March 9, 1972).

OFFICER
MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE - 2D

April 29, 2007

Rest in Peace my Brother, God Bless you, Your Family and the Montgomery County Police Dept. Watch over us all in Blue. My Prayers are with you.

OFFICER BOB SWOPE#5609
OLMSTED FALLS POLICE DEPT. OHIO

April 29, 2007

Luke - your loss leaves a tremendous void in our hearts that will never be filled. I remember when you started FTO at 6D; you always had a huge smile on your face and were always ready to 'hit the road'. You were so smart and funny - and not too mention...one heck of an officer! You and your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers forever.

With a very heavy heart.....

PSA Dawn Scigliano
MCP - 6D

April 29, 2007

Luke,
Yesterday was one of the hardest and saddest days of my life.
All the cruisers, officers from all over, mounted units lined the street, motors leading the way, fire departments flew an American flag proudly high in the air. The Honor Guard, the Color Guard, fly over by the helicopters. The Bag Pipe band played for you with honor, brought tears to everyone. Taps rang out. The loud speaker calling your car and then placing you 10-7 for the remainder, which was the hardest thing for all of us.
The tributes to you were so moving. All the pictures of you in the viewing area were tough to look at. It is obvious you were a happy child and adult. You have a loving family who must be so proud of you. We are all so proud of you.
I'm sure it makes you happy from above to see the support your family is getting from the Department. We are all there for them and for you. Steve is also getting support from all of us and from your family as well. It's such a positive thing. We are all here for each other.
All the tears that were shed yesterday were not only in sadness but also shed in pride. Pride for you being a hero. Pride that we knew you. Pride that we worked with you. Pride in our Department. Pride in The Thin Blue Line.
Since your passing I have had many citizens approach me and give their condolences. That says a lot. Each time I said "Thank You" and I made sure they knew your name. You are remembered, missed and respected by not only your brothers and sisters in Blue, but by the citizen's you served and protected.
Thank you Officer Hoffman for being a friend, a brother in blue and especially a HERO.
God Speed Luke.

Police Officer
Montgomery County Police Dept, 6D

April 29, 2007

I'm restless and alone
A soul has traveled home
What am I to do
In a world without you

I don't want to believe
I turn around and you're gone
All the sweet memories
Of loving you for so long

Sometimes it's hard
And sometimes I cry
But God holds this heart of mine
And He feels the pain inside.

Broken and undone
You were the one we counted on
You taught us how to say
I love you
Then you showed us how to pray

I don't want to believe
I turn around and you're gone
All the sweet memories
Of loving you for so long

Sometimes it's hard
And most times, I cry
But God holds this heart of mine
And He heals the pain I hide.

Sometimes it's hard - so hard
And most times, I cry
But God knows this heart of mine
And He heals the pain inside.

April 29, 2007

During my friendship with Luke, he was always such a fun guy to be around. I will remember when he gave a tour of his fire station to kids that I babysat over the summer. The kids had so much fun trying on all of the gear and getting to see where the firemen slept.
I will always remember how good he made others feel.

Tracey Brown (cilivilian)
Friend

April 29, 2007

Rest in peace sir, thank you for your service..God be with you..your family..and entire department..GODSPEED!

Ofc. Aaron Sparks
Gilmanton N.H. Police Department

April 29, 2007

Rest in Peace Brother,Our thoughts and prayers to all your family and your agency

Officer Terry Paspalis
Town of Windham Police Department,Windham,NY

April 29, 2007

"The Final Inspection"

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

Rest in Peace Officer Hoffman

Mrs. April Thomas
Wife of MCPD Officer

April 29, 2007

Luke,
It is so hard to say goodbye to you. You came to our shift in December, and you introduced yourself to me and talked to me I thought, "wow, this rookie is really squared away." Since that time, I've grown to know and love you. I saw a really smart guy who was a really good cop. You immediately absorbed into an extremely tight shift and became part of us. We are all so torn up right now over your loss. Tuesday night was the hardest night of my life. "Mama Bear" lost her youngest "cub" that night.

To Luke's family: you are an incredibly loving and wonderful family. You have allowed us to be a part of your grieving, and as hard as everything has been, that has helped us immensely. You are now a part of our family.

Luke, you are my hero. I love and miss you so much. Rest in peace.

PSA Amy Gumula
MCPD 4D, Shift 8

April 29, 2007

Luke-
We all spent 6 amazing months together, learning to do what we all aspired to become...MoCo PoPo! I recall the day one of our instructors came in and said "Look around, someday one of you may not be here...that's what could happen in this job." Little did I ever think it would REALLY happen to our department again, let alone one of US! And then the heart wrenching phone call came...
Luke, you were a light for all of us. It's hard not to question why God would call you home so soon (maybe He had some work for you to do up there!). My heart is with your family and the rest of MCPD who have been affected by this. But, I feel you smiling down on us and it's nice to know you have our backs in a bigger kind of way. The thin blue line carries on....
You are loved and missed and we are ever more grateful to have been able to share the greatest show on earth with you.
Rest in peace my dear...we'll all be together again some day.

Session 48
Montgomery County Police Dept

April 29, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with your family Officer Hoffman.

We are saddened by your loss, and hope that your fellow officers can find peace in your actions.

As we approach the 1 year loss of two of my husbands fellow officers from FCPD, we will mourn your loss.

Wife of a LEO
NTPD

April 29, 2007

Luke,
I am very PROUD and HONORED to be the one who hired you. I am also proud of all of your accomplishments. You were born to be a COP. I want you to know that MCP will NEVER FORGET YOU. God Bless.

Commander Betsy DAvis
MCPD

April 29, 2007

This is another tragic loss for the law enforcement family. I have family that live in the nearby area known as Leisure World. Thank you for protecting them. An old Irish saying goes "May your soul be in heaven an hour before the devil knows you died". In that spirit may you rest in peace, and may your family, friends, and colleagues know that you paid the ultimate price in an effort to make the area safer for the good citizens of Montgomery County. In valor there is hope!

Lt. Jim Keenan
Rochester, NY PD

April 29, 2007

My prayers go out to the family of Luke. I am simply a citizen who heard about the story from a friend who has a son who is a police officer in Maryland.

God bless all who knew him and loved him and those who feel the pain eventhough they never met him.

Celeste Everett
Saylorsburg, Pa.

Celeste Everett
citizen

April 29, 2007