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LODD: Fla. firefighter/paramedic dies after falling ill on duty

The St. Lucie County Fire District is honoring firefighter/paramedic Jarius Hodge with full line-of-duty honors following his death after a medical emergency while on shift

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Lucie County Fire District is mourning the loss of firefighter/paramedic Jarius Hodge, who died after becoming ill while on duty.

The fire district confirmed Hodge’s passing in a Facebook post, stating that he became ill while at work and had to leave due to his condition, WPBF reported.

“Because of the close proximity to his active duty, we are treating his death with the honors appropriate to a line-of-duty,” the department stated. “This includes an Honor Guard presence and ceremonial escort of his body from the hospital to the Medical Examiner’s Office.”

Further details about Hodge’s illness and death have not been released.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.