Kansas City, Kansas firefighter recovering after fainting at first responder's funeral
The KCKFD employee, who has not been publicly named, lost consciousness and fell near the end of a processional ceremony in Hoffman's honor. Scott Schaunaman, a KCKFD spokesperson, said that the firefighter experienced a syncopal episode.
Syncope, commonly known as fainting, happens when blood pressure or heart rate temporarily drops, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This can be caused by a variety of factors and results in a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain.
As several funeral attendees attempted to provide aid, the employee came to and could be seen sitting up and moving independently by the time he was brought into an arriving ambulance. The firefighter was in stable condition at a local hospital as of Friday evening and responding well to various tests, according to Schaunaman.
Graham Hoffman, 29, was killed in the line of duty on April 27 when an ambulance patient fatally stabbed him as Hoffman attempted to treat her. His funeral took place at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty on Frida and drew a vast crowd of mourners, including community members and first responders.
American flags were flown at half-mast in Hoffman's honor on Friday at firehouses statewide, as well as at Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte County government buildings and Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City.
PJ Green contributed reporting.
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With therapy, psychiatry, coaching, community groups, self-guided tools, and crisis support we dynamically create individualized care journeys to address a spectrum of mental health needs and preferences with culturally responsive providers in 200+ countries and territories and 80+ languages. Backed by peer-reviewed research and a proprietary blend of technology and live support, Modern Health delivers measurable outcomes, globally equitable access, and sustainable pricing. Our industry-leading Adaptive Care Model and dedicated, human centered, operationally tuned, customer success partners make us a trusted partner for organizations worldwide. Visit us at to learn how we can help you optimize your people and your business. Methodology Modern Health commissioned this scientific random sample of 1,000 U.S. adults (aged 18-44). This group was surveyed between June 5, 2025 and June 6, 2025. All respondents are currently employed for wages, confirmed by consumer-matched data. Sampling was calibrated to obtain a representative demographic sample aligned with U.S. workforce statistics. DKC Analytics conducted and analyzed this survey with a sample procured using the Pollfish survey delivery platform, which delivers online surveys globally through mobile apps and the mobile web along with the desktop web. No post-stratification has been applied to the results. View source version on Contacts press@
