Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Thomas Hodges, Police Officer Frank D'Azevedo, and Police Clark Curlette were shot and killed at 6:45 pm while conducting an investigation into stolen driver's licenses. Officer Curlette and Officer Hodges were waiting in a motel parking lot at Harding Avenue and 86th Street, while Officer D'Azevedo made a purchase of the stolen licenses approximately one block away. While in the parking lot, Officer Hodges and Officer Curlette noticed a car they suspected of being stolen. The two officers went to the motel manager and asked about the car. The manager informed them that the car belonged to a guest and told them which room the guest was staying in. As the officers went to the room, the manager called the guest to warn him the officers were coming. When the officers knocked on the door, the suspect opened fire with a double-barrel 12 gauge shotgun. Officer Hodges was struck in the face and Officer Curlette was struck in the abdomen. When Officer D'Azevedo heard the shots, he immediately ran back to the motel and found his partners' bodies. He saw the suspect running from the scene and began to chase him on foot. The suspect turned a corner, crouched down, and waited for Officer D'Azevedo. Officer D'Azevedo was shot when he came around the corner. The suspect fled the scene and committed suicide a short time later. Officer Hodges had served with the Metro-Dade Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-F043E9EC- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Hodges gave the Metro-Dade Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hodges.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thomas Allen Hodges Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Metro-Dade Police Department, 14 of 25 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Allen Hodges Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Allen Hodges Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Allen Hodges Jr. is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Allen Hodges Jr. was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
24 officers from Metro-Dade Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
