Family, friends, and co-workers came together at *** memorial cookout, releasing balloons in memory of *** Saint Lucie County firefighter who died suddenly last year. Jerrius Hodge was at work in Station 3 in Port Saint Lucie when he started to feel sick and struggle to breathe. He was rushed to the hospital. *** few hours later, he died from septic shock. He also loves s’mores, so his brother brought some chocolate and some marshmallows and everything, and we’re gonna be right here on this fire pit and we’re gonna have some s’mores here and then we’re just gonna have some family, some fellowship, faith and fun. But he was *** quiet leader, you know, and and we take *** lot from him. He was my younger brother, but I looked up to him in many ways to keep me poised, keep me patient, um, but, and I think that’s what he’s teaching everybody today. The event was held at the Saint Lucie Fire Department Union Hall. Last night would have been Jerryus Hodges’s 27th birthday.
Family honors late St. Lucie County firefighter’s birthday with cookout and balloon release
Loved ones of Jarius Hodge, a St. Lucie County firefighter who died nearly a year ago, gathered to celebrate his 27th birthday with a cookout, balloon release, and plans for a foundation in his memory.
Updated: 5:14 PM EDT Jun 16, 2026
Family and friends of Jarius Hodge, a St. Lucie County firefighter who passed away nearly a year ago, gathered on Saturday, May 30, to celebrate what would have been his 27th birthday with a cookout and balloon release. Hodge died after falling ill at work, with his family saying he had the flu, felt weak, and was later rushed to the hospital, where he passed away hours later. “He also loved more so his brother chocolate and her marshmallows and everything, and we’re gonna be right here on the fire pit, and we’re gonna have some stores here, and then we’re just gonna have some families, fellowship, faith and fun,” said Keristan Johnson, Hodge’s mother. Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News”He was a quiet leader, and we take a lot from him. He was my younger brother, but I looked up to him in many ways to keep me poised, keep me patient. And I think that’s what he’s teaching everybody today,” said Austin Hodge, Jarius’s brother. Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.The family also announced plans to start a foundation and scholarship for individuals pursuing careers in healthcare, firefighting, and law enforcement.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. —
Family and friends of Jarius Hodge, a St. Lucie County firefighter who passed away nearly a year ago, gathered on Saturday, May 30, to celebrate what would have been his 27th birthday with a cookout and balloon release.
Hodge died after falling ill at work, with his family saying he had the flu, felt weak, and was later rushed to the hospital, where he passed away hours later.
“He also loved more so his brother chocolate and her marshmallows and everything, and we’re gonna be right here on the fire pit, and we’re gonna have some stores here, and then we’re just gonna have some families, fellowship, faith and fun,” said Keristan Johnson, Hodge’s mother.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
“He was a quiet leader, and we take a lot from him. He was my younger brother, but I looked up to him in many ways to keep me poised, keep me patient. And I think that’s what he’s teaching everybody today,” said Austin Hodge, Jarius’s brother.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
The family also announced plans to start a foundation and scholarship for individuals pursuing careers in healthcare, firefighting, and law enforcement.