Funeral Set For Rockville Volunteer Fire Lieutenant

ROCKVILLE, MD — A funeral has been set for the lieutenant with the Rockville volunteer firefighter who was killed on I-270 after being struck by a vehicle in Montgomery County Friday night.

Funeral services for Deputy Chief Sander Benjamin Cohen will be held Thursday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. at B'nai Israel Congregation in Rockville. Burial will follow at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney.

Cohen, 33, was one of two off-duty law enforcement officers killed Friday. The FBI agent killed in the crash was identified by the agency as Supervisory Special Agent Carlos Wolff, 36, of Gaithersburg.

According to police, Wolff's vehicle was involved in a single-car crash and Cohen stopped at the scene of the crash for help, and used his car to block the damaged vehicle from traffic. The two officers were standing in the shoulder when a car going southbound swerved to avoid the cars in the fast lane and struck them, police said. The two men were thrown over the road partition and at least one of them was hit by a car going northbound, police said.

"Deputy Chief Cohen had no idea who was inside the vehicle he stopped behind," Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William Pallozzi said in a news release. "He just recognized that someone needed help and he never hesitated last night to stop and help someone in need. Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal Sander Cohen has now joined the ranks of Maryland's Fallen Heroes."

Police and fire vehicles escorted Cohen's body from Baltimore to the Danzansky-Goldberg Funeral Home in Rockville Saturday.

>> See Related: Rockville Volunteer Fire Lieutenant, FBI Agent Killed On I-270

"I don't think there was a dry eye in this house or anywhere in Rockville. People stopped on the corner, people saluted, cars pulled over, people came out of restaurants. It was very touching," Eric Bernard, president of the Rockville Fire Department, told NBC Washington.

Cohen joined the RVFD in 2003 and was also a deputy fire marshal with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, an agency of the Maryland Department of State Police. He grew up in Rockville, was a graduate of Winston Churchill High School and started volunteering at the fire department at age 16.

“He had an infectious smile. he was a good looking guy and he was always smiling,” Bernard told CBS Baltimore.

In January he was appointed regional commander of the Northern Regional Office, responsible for supervising fire investigations in Carroll, Harford, and Cecil counties.

"He will be sorely missed by his many friends within the fire/rescue and law enforcement communities," the RVFD said.

Cohen died on the scene, while Wolff was taken to Suburban Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"Carlos Wolff of Gaithersburg, MD is the son of Maria and Jorge Wolff. He leaves behind his wife, their 7-year-old son, 2-year-old daughter and five siblings. Carlos was a graduate of American University. Our Carlos was an amazing father, husband, uncle and brother who made us all very proud. He loved serving his country as a part of the FBI. He was always so helpful and giving, not just to his friends but strangers too. Our hearts are broken. We appreciate your prayers during this difficult time," Wolff family said in a statement.

Wolff was an 11-year veteran of the FBI. He leaves behind his wife, a 7-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter, according to the statement. Funeral information has not yet been announced.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued a statement on the passing of Cohen and Wolff: "We thank these officers for their selfless dedication to our state and our nation, and the First Lady and I send our heartfelt prayers to their families, loved ones, and friends during this tragic time," Hogan Tweeted.

Hogan ordered Maryland flags to be lowered to half-staff on Sunday to honor the men.

The crash investigation is preliminary but police say alcohol does not appear to be a factor. The driver and two passengers in the car that struck the officers were also taken to local hospitals.

The driver of the southbound 2000 Honda Accord that struck the two men is identified as Roberto A. Garza Palacios, 28, of Germantown, according to police. Passengers in his vehicle are Mirelia Y. Barcena Mormontoy, 23, of Germantown and Ada G. Sandoval Cortez, 32, of Clarksburg. All three were taken to area hospitals.

State police say the driver of a northbound 2017 Acura ILX who hit at least one of the victims is identified as Brittany A. Waters, 32, of Clarksburg. She did not report being injured.

The cause of the initial crash involving Special Agent Wolff's vehicle remains under investigation, officials said. Evidence indicates that for reasons unknown at this time, the vehicle struck the concrete barrier on the left side of the highway and became disabled in the fast lane.

No charges have been filed at this time. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be presented to the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office for review.

The crash happened around 10 p.m. on southbound I-270 north of Gude Drive. The highway was closed until about 6 a.m. Saturday but all lanes have since reopened.

Photos: Cohen via Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal