Euless Officer David Hofer remembered at memorial service

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Thousands of people attended a Saturday memorial service honoring slain Euless police officer David Hofer.

The thoughtful service had a 21-gun-salute, bagpipes and speeches from Euless PD Chief Michael Brown, Hofer’s fiancé and Hofer’s father.

“Each moment of the last four years was overflowing with laughter, joy, comfort, love and respect,” said Marta Danylyk, Hofer's fiancé. She told the story about Hofer’s proposal, which culminated in a surprise outside of a squad car that involved her friends and family.

“He cared about people and was thoughtful in how he interacted with each person,” Danylyk said.

Euless PD Chief Brown urged people to work through their grief and keep living their lives so that gunman who took Hofer’s life wouldn’t win.

“David’s life ended with him being the best police officer he could be,” Brown said. “No one’s tomorrow is guaranteed, so be the best you can be every day.”

Hofer’s father, Helmut, at the end of his remarks had everyone in the stadium stand up and give their neighbor a hug.

The entire visitor’s side of Pennington Field in Bedford was filled with officers from numerous departments while the home side held members of the public.

Before the service, Hofer’s casket led a procession of countless police vehicles from the funeral home to the stadium. Officers stood at attention as the hearse went by and members of the public lined the route on side streets and on highway overpasses.

Hofer, 29, was killed Tuesday in a shootout with a suspect who was high on meth in a public park. Brian Gonzalez, 22, stole weapons from a nearby house he used in the gun fight. Police killed Gonzalez in the shootout.

Hofer spent five years with the NYPD before moving to Texas, where he worked for two years with the Euless police department.

 

People wishing to make donations to Hofer’s family have two options:

Checks payable to EPBO (Euless Police Benevolent Organization)

My Credit Union

1014 N. Industrial Blvd.

Euless, TX 76039

 

Gofundme- Official Euless PD Ofr. David Hofer

http://tinyurl.com/hpzaco3