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Incident
Police Officer Daniel Hodgson was shot and killed as he and four other officers attempted to subdue a man who had been firing a gun in a residential neighborhood on Stuyvesant Street. When the officers arrived the man ran into his house and hid in a closet. As the officers searched for him inside the home he pointed the shotgun out of the closet and fired two shots. The first shot wounded two of the other officers. The second shot struck Officer Hodgson in the chest, killing him. The suspect was taken into custody eight hours later. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Officer Hodgson and to 30 years for the aggravated assault of three of the other officers. Officer Hodgson had only served with the Chatham County Police Department for six months. He was survived by his parents. A street in Savannah was named Hodgson Memorial Drive in his honor.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Hodgson served with the Chatham County Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Savannah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hodgson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chatham County Police Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Daniel is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer at Chatham County Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1976, 6 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 24. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Chatham County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 24.8 and 39.8; the middle age was 28.5. Daniel had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Daniel was 24. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 24. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Chatham County Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 60%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Chatham County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Chatham County Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Daniel among them.
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William R. Mitchell
Sep 7, 1918
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William Frank Godbold
Mar 28, 1929
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Perry L. Anderson
Oct 27, 1934
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William S. Winn, Jr.
Nov 1, 1934
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John J. O'Riley
Oct 21, 1939
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William M. Sheppard
Jun 9, 1951
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Harry H. Akins
Nov 21, 1962
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Dennis Witherington
Aug 24, 1969
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Daniel Alexander Hodgson
Mar 20, 1976
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Frank A. Kania, Sr.
May 24, 1979
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Doreen E. McCumber
Nov 4, 1988
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Chatham County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
