In Memory: Luke Hoffman, Police Officer, Volunteer Firefighter

A full police honors funeral for Montgomery County Police Officer Luke Hoffman, who was struck by another police cruiser during a chase in Aspen Hill Wednesday, was being held Saturday, April 28.

The funeral was held at St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Church, 10800 Old Court Road, Woodstock, bringing dozens of law enforcement officers, firefighters and friends to mourn with the Hoffman family. Hoffman was then buried in the church cemetery.

Officer Hoffman had been a member of the force for one year. He was also an active volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician with the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department in Howard County.

Members of the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department stood in front of the station in a salute to the fallen officer as his funeral procession passed by on the way to the church Saturday morning.

As a Station 3 volunteer, Hoffman ran many mutual aid calls with Sykesville, and was well-known and liked to many members. His loss is a blow to all in the emergency services, and the department sends its prayers and condolences to Luke's family, friends and colleagues.

Officer Hoffman was hit by another police cruiser while chasing the suspect. The officer in that car, Stephen Wofsey, was also injured. Hoffman died of his injuries early Thursday. Officer Wofsey was released from the hospital Wednesday.

Police have charged the suspected driver of the car that led Officer Hoffman and others on the deadly chase.

Authorities say Ruel Dempster is charged with reckless endangerment and fleeing and eluding police. He is also charged with hit and run in connection with striking parked vehicles.

Dempster could face up to five years in prison if convicted of reckless endangerment, while each of the other counts carries up to a year.

Police believe Dempster was the suspected drunken driver who led police on a chase early Wednesday in Aspen Hill. The driver pulled into an apartment complex, got out of the car and began running.