Corporal Katie Hodges receives VFW 2022 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award

Corporal Katie Hodges's life-saving efforts in April of 2022 continue to be recognized, a year following the unforgettable incident when her quick thinking saved the life of a drowning woman on campus. This week, Hodges received the 2022 Law Enforcement of the Year Award from the VFW. "For me always: it is just knowing that I make a difference in someone else’s life, whcih is enough reward for me,” Hodges said.

Corporal Katie Hodges receives the 2022 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, presented by Dean Rakoskie of VFW Department of Georgia.

On Wednesday, April 19 at 11am, Corporal Katie Hodges was presented with the award for 2022 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Hodges won the award from her life-saving efforts in saving a 21-year-old last year in April 2022, during a drunk driving incident. The award was presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Georgia at the Georgia Southern Police Department.

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Hodges’s Good Samaritan work continues to be recognized, even one year after her heroic efforts. Hodges was on patrol the evening of April 8, 2022, when she noticed some occupants of a parked car at Paulson Stadium who were under-the-influence of inebriating substances. Hodges promptly made arrangements for a sober driver to come and transport them home. However, driver negligence caused the car to end up in a pond near Forest Drive, where it began to sink. Hodges's first response to the situation was to take off her protection vest and dive straightway into the pond to save the life of the inebriated individual.

Hodges herself recalls the night’s actions and following community response as follows:

“I jumped into the pond to save the life of a 21-year-old female that was driving drunk. She started drowning, and my immediate response was to jump into the pond to save her life. I had no idea that I would receive so many awards and recognitions afterwards for my on-duty efforts. However, I feel so honored and grateful for the community’s continued support. For me always: it is just knowing that I make a difference in someone else’s life, which is enough reward for me.”

Hodges extended countless thanks and appreciation to her work constituents and department team for their support and guidance. She stated that “I would like to thank the VFW for this award. I would also like to thank the Georgia Southern Police Department Administration, the Deputy Chief, and the Emergency Management Director who all push me to be better at my job everyday.”

For more information on Corporal Hodges and her life-saving actions, read the previously covered story from Grice Connect, HERE.