ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — A St. Lucie County Fire District firefighter/paramedic passed away on Oct. 23, while on duty, marking the second such loss for the agency in as many years after his brother, also a member of the district, died last year.
Austin Hodge, 34, served with the St. Lucie County Fire District since joining in 2017 and was assigned to Station 9 in Fort Pierce, WPBF reported.
His brother, Jarius, died July 22, 2025, after falling ill while on duty at Station 3. His family said he had the flu, felt weak, and was later rushed to the hospital, where he died hours later.
The department called Hodge’s death a profound loss to the St. Lucie County Fire District and the fire service community, extending its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fellow firefighters during this difficult time.
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