Rockville Volunteer Fire Lieutenant, FBI Agent Laid To Rest

ROCKVILLE, MD — Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Sander Cohen, 33, and FBI Agent Carlos Wolff, 36, were laid to rest Thursday, after they were struck and killed on 1-270 last week.

Funeral services for Cohen were held at 11 a.m. at B'nai Israel Congregation in Rockville, while Wolff's funeral took place at the same time at the Church of the Redeemer in 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.

More than 1,000 family, friends, police officers and firefighters gathered at Cohen's memorial service to honor the lieutenant with the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. Governor Larry Hogan and State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci spoke at the service.

“He answered the call to serve something greater than himself,” Hogan said of Cohen at the funeral, according to WTOP. “The night that he lost his life, Sander Cohen did not have to pull over, he did not have to stop to render assistance. But he did the same thing he had been doing for most of his life — he did what had become second nature to him: Serving others in need.”

Cohen joined the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department 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, graduated from Winston Churchill High School and started volunteering at the fire department at age 16.

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

“Sander has always been a hero. And now the rest of us all know that he lived and died a hero. And I know that he will never be forgotten,” Hogan said at the funeral.

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.

"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.

The crash happened at about 10 p.m. on southbound I-270 north of Gude Drive Friday, Dec. 8. The highway was closed until about 6 a.m. Saturday, police said.

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.

Hogan issued a statement on the passing of both men: "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.

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.

Photos of Cohen's funeral via Pete Piringer, photo of Cohen and Wolff via Montgomery Community Media