KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – First responding agencies are remembering the life of a paramedic who died Sunday morning after he was fatally stabbed while transporting a patient.

Graham Hoffman, 29, was a paramedic/firefighter for the Kansas City Fire Department.

The Kansas City Police Department stated that just after 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 27, emergency crews were called to the area of 152 Highway and North Oak Trafficway with reports of a woman, later identified as Shanetta Bossell, walking on the highway. Callers had been concerned for her safety.

Responding officers said they located Bossell and ultimately requested EMS for further treatment. EMS began a transport to Saint Luke’s North Hospital, but about 1:25 a.m., she stabbed Hoffman in the ambulance, the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office reported.

The ambulance stopped and police took Bossell into custody.

Firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman died on April 27 at the age of 29.(Belton Fire Department, Kansas City Fire Department)

Officials stated that Bossell had stabbed Hoffman in the heart, and he died from his injuries at North Kansas City Hospital. The knife was recovered from the ambulance.

Hoffman’s death has left the first responder community in the Kansas City area heartbroken.

KCTV5 spoke to Paul Paikowski, the EMS Division Chief with KCFD. He was also Hoffman’s instructor.

“It’s tough, it really hurts,” Paikowski said.

Hoffman was one of his favorite students, saying he was the ideal firefighter and paramedic.

“From his appearance, you would go, this is a man that takes his job very seriously,” Paikowski said. “Incredible to watch, he turned out to be phenomenal, patients loved him, peers loved him, he was just amazing in every way.”

Hoffman was always wanting to learn and get better, something that made him stand out.

“He never got a complaint in three years; I never got a complaint on that man, ever,” Paikowski said. “All I heard was what a good job he did, and that’s amazing.”

Paikowski says they’re all processing his death differently, holding back anger and frustration.

“He was actually murdered, and that’s what really upsets me,” Paikowski said.

Now they wear a black stripe over their badges for Hoffman, who Paikowski said should still be here, ready to go out on his next call.

“I think everyone is going to miss him just because of his camaraderie, how he was just around the station,” Paikowski said. “He took everything so seriously. He really cared about his peers and his patients. He cared about the department; he cared about everything.”

The Belton Fire Department stated that Hoffman began his firefighting career with the agency, and a statement spoke glowingly of Hoffman’s character.

The Belton Fire Department is so saddened tonight by the tragic and senseless loss of Graham Hoffman. We had the pleasure to know Graham and have him start his firefighting career with us. Graham did not take long to show his kind, soft spoken, and witty personality. A genuine soul filled with tons of potential. We are heart broken for his family and the Kansas City Fire family and send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to them.

The Kansas City Fire Department described the fallen paramedic as a “dedicated professional” and someone beloved by his peers.

Described as compassionate, caring, loving, and a leader on and off the job by his fellow firefighters and academy classmates. It is with great sorrow and sadness we announce the passing of KCFD Firefighter Paramedic Graham Hoffman. Firefighter Hoffman died from injuries sustained when he was stabbed in the chest by a patient he was transporting to the hospital in the early hours of April 27th. Graham was a dedicated professional who loved serving his city. He will be greatly missed. Funeral details will follow in the coming days. Rest in peace Firefighter Graham Hoffman.

“Graham was a vibrant individual who loved life and loved serving his community,” said KCFD Fire Chief Ross Grundyson. “He was an excellent paramedic. He treated his patients with the highest level of skill and compassion.”

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas shared his thoughts on the tragedy Sunday evening.

“Graham was 29 years old, someone who had an exceptional life ahead of him, and he died doing something that was so impactful and important to all of us, serving the community,” Lucas told members of the media. “There will be many steps ahead as we evaluate what happened, as we review what occurred, as we address whatever needs to happen in the future. But today I’m focused on grieving for his mother, his father, his sibling, his family and everyone in the KCFD family.”

KCFD stated that funeral details will be provided in the coming days. The Hoffman family has asked for privacy at this time.