Fort Pierce, Fla. — The St. Lucie County Fire District held a solemn tribute on Monday for firefighter‑paramedic Austin Hodge, who died on Saturday while on duty. Hodge’s body was escorted from the medical examiner’s office to a local funeral home, and a small crowd of fellow firefighters, family members and community supporters gathered to pay their respects.
Remembering a life of service
Friends and coworkers recalled Hodge’s dedication to the district, noting his more than nine years of service and his role on the fire district’s firefighter challenge team. The team, which Hodge joined in 2018, captured a world championship title in 2021, a testament to his skill and teamwork.
Diana Harrison, a longtime family friend who has known Hodge’s mother since the early 1990s, shared personal memories. “We actually homeschooled our kids together. Austin was just a little‑bitty guy back then,” she said, adding that even as a child he dreamed of becoming a firefighter.
Family tragedy deepens the loss
The community’s grief is compounded by the recent loss of Hodge’s brother, Jarius Hodge, also a firefighter‑paramedic with the district, who died last year after falling ill while on duty. “I have no words, there’s no words, and the brokenness, the sadness — you can’t imagine losing not one son but two sons,” Harrison said, reflecting the profound sorrow felt by the Hodge family.
Details of the incident
According to the fire district, Austin Hodge was found unresponsive in his bunk during a shift change on Saturday. Crews immediately began life‑saving measures, but he later died at the hospital. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Community reflections
Howard Dunn Jr., founder of the Howard Dunn Jr. Foundation that supports first responders, recalled a personal encounter with Hodge. “A couple of years ago I had a close call, and when the rescue came to me, I met Austin. He calmed me down. I had an emergency; they transported me to the hospital. He made me feel better — I forgot what I was going for,” Dunn said.
Retired lieutenant and former fire district chaplain Thomas Neiman also spoke about the Hodge family’s impact. “Knowing that we saw those kids as grade‑school kids in the library for our homeschool co‑op meetings,” Neiman said. “We can’t begin to imagine what the family and mom and dad are going through, but we’re holding on to them as best we can, and they know we love them.”
Honoring his memory
In addition to the Monday procession, the fire district plans to hold a birthday cookout and balloon release to celebrate Hodge’s life, a tradition that underscores the close‑knit nature of the firefighting community in St. Lucie County.
The district’s leadership emphasized the importance of supporting the families of fallen first responders and reaffirmed their commitment to the safety and well‑being of both firefighters and the residents they serve.
As the community mourns, the story of Austin Hodge stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made daily by those who answer the call to protect and serve.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
