Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Milton Hodder was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while directing traffic on Dixwell Avenue in front of a factory. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene but was forced to the side of the road by a witness approximately 300 feet down the road and apprehended. The 26-year-old driver was convicted of misconduct in the use of a motor vehicle and sentenced to 3 to 5 years. On November 18, 1954, he was charged with hit-and-run, and felony drunk driving, after he drove his car onto a sidewalk and hit a man. He said he just wanted to scare the man and did not mean to hit him. Patrolman Hodder had been appointed to the Hamden Police Department as a supernumerary officer on November 10, 1927, and was appointed as a regular officer the following year. He had served with the agency for a total of 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-920A3B73- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Hodder gave the Hamden Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hamden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hodder.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Milton L. Hodder is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hamden Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Milton L. Hodder's cause is highlighted.
How Milton L. Hodder Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 5 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Milton L. Hodder is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Milton L. Hodder was killed by automobile.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hamden Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
