Roll of Honor
Incident
Inspector James Hodges was shot and killed in Buckingham County while he and other state and federal prohibition inspectors raided a still near Arvonia.
The subject opened fire on the officers as they approached the still in a heavily wooded area. The man then stole two pistols from Inspector Hodges' body and fled the area. He was arrested at his daughter's home in Chesterfield County two days later.
He was subsequently convicted of Inspector Hodges' murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Inspector Hodges was survived by his wife and is buried at Chatham Burial Park in Chatham, Virginia.
Survivors
Inspector Hodges was survived by his wife and is buried at Chatham Burial Park in Chatham, Virginia.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-A7E52462- 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.
Inspector Hodges served with the Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Hodges.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Inspector James L. Hodges 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement, 8 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James L. Hodges's cause is highlighted.
How James L. Hodges Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James L. Hodges is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James L. Hodges was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement are honored on badge.nw.
