Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I got there the shooting. I was told at the scene that the suspect was in the attic and fired down through the opening.

Cpl. R.P. Taylor
Chatham County Police

February 7, 2022

I lived 3-4 houses up, on the other side of the street from the Hodgsons, from 1955-1964. Alex was about my age and we were friends. Years later I worked public safety in the Atlanta area, but as a firefighter and paramedic.
I certainly remember his family and their pharmacy, all those years ago. Just weeks ago I attended my 51st high school reunion and re-connecting with old friends is on my mind. Unfortunately, I cannot re-connect with Alex. This is one of those terrible things we must bear as human beings.
All I can say is: Alex, you are not forgotten.

Chris Hoffman
Childhhod friend

November 11, 2021

Rest in eternal peace

Mark Mottola

March 20, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Hodgson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 20, 2019

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

May 26, 2018

Alex, it's Me, Jan Autry-Munroe-nowRobinson. I am sorry for waiting so long, I did not know about this site until today, after I dreamed about you. Your Bonaventure Grave is opposite the fountain back in the Greenwich section, from my beloved son, Thomas Gordon Autry, Jr., who died on November 26, 1977, 20 months and six days after you. For years I have brought flowers to your place from Tommy's, and talked with you about everything. Oh, that day when our co-worker and friend from Broad Oaks Hospital called to tell me what had happened. I THREW the phone across the room, and when the newspaper report blasted the front page, it burned my fingers. YOU, sweet, loving and kind, who wanted to use his psychology education and work with us at the Charter facility, should not have been there that day, that man was WAY too far gone to reason with. Your Dad brought little Mandy to visit me a few months later, since his Pharmacy was right across from the hospital, she was you all over again. You visited me in a dream after my husband and I planted a Dogwood sapling in front of the station. You were sitting among the blossoms of the full grown tree, still beautiful, swinging your legs and smiling, and said, "Jan, don't worry about this old ghost, I am just fine!" GOD LOVES YOU TO THIS DAY, DARLING FRIEND,
AS DO I". Now seventy-five, I look forward to seeing you in Heaven someday, with my son and all you FINE ANGELS.

Jan Robinson, (Nee Autry-Munroe
A good friend and co-therapist at Charter Broad Oaks Hospital in Savan

July 9, 2017

Mr. Hodgson, 04/10/2017
I never met you but I feel like I know you. I was a paramedic with Chatham County EMS from 1984 to 2001. For the first few years I worked there, our southside ambulance ran out of the the old County Police barracks on Hodgson Memorial Drive. When stationed there, I would often stand at the memorial that was out in front of the barracks. I would read the names of the fallen officers. wondering who they were and what their lives were like. For some reason, I felt especially drawn to you. I guess perhaps because you were so young and not much older than myself. I now work for Effingham County EMS and today I went on a call to a lady. She insisted she was fine and did not want to be transported to the hospital. I was gathering personal information from her husband. When he told me their last name was Hodgson, I immediately thought of you Alex. Then I thought no, it couldn't be. I decided to ask. I asked him if he was from Savannah, and he replied yes. I then said, you wouldn't by chance be any kin to Alex Hodgson would you? He answered, "that's my brother". I told him that I used to work for Chatham Co. and often looked at Alex's picture on the memorial at the old barracks. I wanted to ask more but didn't want to open old wounds. Very nice people, your brother and sister in law. We stayed and talked to them for a while about their house which had been your sister in law's parents and your brother had totally renovated. When I got back to the station, I looked you up on the computer and found this memorial page and just felt moved to write. I hope no one minds me doing this. I'm not a police officer but have worked along side of them for the last 30+ years as a paramedic. I knew Doreen McCumber and Mark McPhail. Both lost their lives in the line of duty. I was a very close friend to Stan Freeman, who almost lost his life in the line of duty and to this day still suffers from his injuries. Alex, it was a privilege to meet your brother and wish I could have know you.
Tom Shadle

Tom Shadle Paramedic
Effingham County EMS

April 10, 2017

My name is Jack R. Waters II. My father, Jack R. Waters, was with you that day. He also was wounded. He always talked about you until the day he passed from colon cancer in 1999. I hope you two are together and are watching over us.

Jack R. Waters II

May 7, 2016

Alex was a great friend and a fellow teammate on the Georgia Southern Swim Team in 1970-1971. He was also our high school mascot at Herschel V. Jenkins Warriors. in Savannah, Georgia.

Bruce Walters

December 20, 2014

My letter went out today, my brother of the badge, God bless you, your Friends and Family and Department.

Retired Police Officer
South Lake Tahoe Police Department

August 28, 2014

Rest in Peace, Officer Hodgson. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 24, 2012

Alex. I will always remember you. I was working the Wilmington Island area that fateful day. I burnt my car up getting to you and the scene. I only regret that I could not do anything to save you. I was 1 of your training officers for a few short weeks. May god bless you and I hope you are looking down on us and keeping an eye out for us too. I retired in 2009 from the ranks.

Officer / Deputy Nelson Barber
Chatham County Police/Hillsborough County Sheriff

November 20, 2011

Thank you sir, for your sacrifice. I recently met your wife, and I am proud to know her and say that she is still fighting your battle. Though I never knew you, you are my brother in arms, and I am proud to carry the torch that you carried with the same pride. Rest in Peace, my brother.

Officer Craig Wildi
Georgia Southern University Police

September 30, 2010

You will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace.

Captain James B. Hodgson
Bradley County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

July 30, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 20, 2010

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

April 30, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 8, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 8, 2007

Officer Hodgson,

On this the anniversary of your leaving us in the physical sense we pay tribute to your spirit. Tonight the Evening Watch of the Henry County Georgia Police Department’s North Precinct will hit the street in your honor. Please watch over us as we continue your fine work.

For the entire shift,
Sergeant V.T. Rosen

Sergeant V.T.Rosen
Henry County Police Department

March 20, 2007

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Officer Hodgson.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Matthew 5:9

A Citizen

June 15, 2006

You are remembered.Rest in Peace.

March 20, 2006

Thank you for your service and dedication to this country. on this day I remember your great sacrafice......

Erika Mitchell
widow of ofc.Larry Mitchell 5-30-01

March 20, 2005