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Incident
Patrolman Melvin Hodges was killed in a motorcycle accident at the intersection of Muscatel Avenue and Carlsbad-Hobbs Highway. Patrolman Hodges had been with the Carlsbad Police Department for only three months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and young son.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrolman Hodges served with the Carlsbad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Carlsbad community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hodges.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Melvin is the only officer of Carlsbad Police Department remembered here.
Melvin is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1962, 1 officer in NM was lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 40 years on record. The heaviest was 1960, with 4.
In 1962, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1962, 80 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Melvin was 23. Of the 57 lost to accidents in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44; the middle age was 35. Melvin had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melvin was 23. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Melvin had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melvin was 23. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Melvin had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 6.8% of these deaths in NM; August holds the most, 18.6%. Thursdays: 5.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Carlsbad Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 30.6% of all 193 deaths in NM, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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