Christopher Hoch
Sergeant, United States Army
November 18, 1988 – February 2, 2017
Age – 28
Ferndale, MI
Stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY
Killed in a domestic dispute while protecting his fiancee’s best friend one week after returning from his second deployment
United States Army Sergeant Christopher Ryan Hoch was born on November 18, 1988. He grew up in Ferndale, MI. He attended Ferndale public schools from kindergarten through high school. As the oldest of four brothers, Chris blazed a path through Ferndale schools, that all of his brothers soon followed. Chris graduated from Ferndale High School in 2007. As he got older, his love of music blossomed. He loved doing tricks on his bike, working out, weightlifting, and being outdoors. Christopher was known for being caring – always putting others first. Whenever he lived out of state, his loyalty for the Detroit Lions only grew stronger.
Christopher, an honored son, loyal brother, loving fiancé, cherished grandson, dedicated soldier, strong leader, and a passionate patriot, passed into eternal life on February 2, 2017. Chris died a hero. He spent all 28 years of his life putting others first. He was always there to help comfort those around him, by either lending a listening ear or just providing a strong shoulder to lean on. He loved his family, friends, fellow soldiers, the U.S. Army, and his country.
Christopher made the decision to join the Army in January 2013. From the time that Christopher signed his pre-enlistment commitment for the US Army, Chris wanted to be an Army Ranger. In the months leading up to his enlistment, while others might’ve partied and relished their pre-Army life, Chris was 100-percent committed to being the best soldier that he could be. He downloaded the US ARMY Ranger Fitness Requirements and trained every day to meet these requirements prior to reporting for duty. He even found himself in trouble with his Army recruiter once when he stepped into a U.S. Marine recruit chin-up challenge and promptly showed them what a future Army Ranger could achieve. His recruiter lit him up for show-boating, but afterwards laughed with Chris about the incident.
During his service, he deployed on two tours – one in Afghanistan and one in Turkey. He received many awards and decorations from his service including the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Air Assault Badge.
Chris passed away doing what he had always done, looking out for and protecting those he loved. On February 2, 2017, one week after returning from his second deployment to the Middle East, and one day after proposing to his future bride, Chris was shot and killed in a domestic dispute while protecting his fiancée’s best friend. Chris’s act of heroism cost him his life, but saved two others in the process.