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Incident
Wildlife Agent Terry Hoffer was shot and killed while he and his partner were patrolling in the mountains along the Grand Coulee Maintenance Road southeast of Buckley, Washington, during elk season. The officers waved to a Jeep to stop and Officer Hoffer's partner exited the patrol car to approach the vehicle. As he walked around the vehicle a shot rang out. The occupants of the Jeep shouted that someone was shooting at them from the woods and drove off. Agent Hoffer's partner returned to the patrol car and found that Agent Hoffer had been shot through the chest. A person in the vehicle behind the Jeep wrote down the license plate number and the occupants were arrested later in the day. The investigation showed that one of the Jeep occupants were attempting to unload a hunting rifle at the time in order to avoid receiving a citation and accidentally fired it. On June 26, 1985, the suspect was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and tampering with a witness. He was sentenced to 23 months in prison. Agent Hoffer had served with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for seven years and had previously been an officer with another agency.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Wildlife Agent Hoffer gave the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 7 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Wildlife Agent Hoffer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Terry is the only officer of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife remembered here.
Terry is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Terry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Terry is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 3 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Terry was 36. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Terry had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Terry was 36. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Terry had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Terry was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Terry had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.8% of these deaths in WA, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 13.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are honored on badge.nw.