Military IDs soldier on border deployment found dead near Nogales; no foul play indicated
-
via FacebookPFC Steven Hodges -
U.S. ArmyA mobile surveillance camera system manned by soldiers monitors a sector near the Presidio Border Patrol Station, April 4, at Presidio, Texas.
A U.S. Army solidier deployed to the Mexican border in Arizona was found dead Saturday near Nogales. Foul play was not suspected in the death of PFC Steven Hodges, officials said, but few details were released.
Hodges, a 20-year-old Menifee, Calif., native who enlisted in 2017, was a grenadier assigned to the 1st "Tomahawk" Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, since February 2018. His unit is part of the 7th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Hodges was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon during his service.
Officials have not released a cause of death.
Hodges' unit is at the border as part of "Task Force Red Lion," undertaking mobile surveillance as part of the Trump administration's deployment of more than 2,000 active-duty troops along the U.S.-Mexico border.
"Every Soldier in the Tomahawk Battalion is an essential member of our team. The loss of any Soldier is deeply felt. Private First Class Steven Hodges is sorely missed by his teammates and the entire Tomahawk family, every Soldier is a national treasure,” Lt. Col. Sean Lyons, the battalion commander wrote in a statement released by the military.
"We are grateful for all the young men and women who volunteer to serve our nation. We are humbled at the sacrifices their families continue to make on a daily basis, Steven and his family are in our prayers," Lyons said.
Military authorities at first did not identify Hodges, or release his unit or service branch.
Later, they provided some details.
Because Hodges' body was found on federal land, the FBI is investigating the incident, officials at U.S. Northern Command said. NorthCom is headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
Related stories
- 2 soldiers died by suicide on Arizona border deployments
- Army IDs 2nd soldier on border deployment found dead in Arizona
- Arizona National Guard chief defends role of troops at border
- Border Patrol agents rescue 17 migrants from Arizona bombing range, including 9 kids
- Indian woman, 8-year-old daughter located after 6-year-old migrant found dead in Arizona desert
- Guatemalan woman dies crossing Goldwater bombing range near Yuma
- No More Deaths trial: Warren waits after case sent to jury
- No More Deaths trial: Warren testifies, prosecutors call final witness1
- American man killed in CBP shootout at San Diego border crossing
- Crossing a line: Military encounter at border sparks Trump threats
- Tucson sailor swabs Super Hornet
- Nearly $150M in Az military projects could be cut for Trump's border emergency
More by Dylan Smith
- Lift a glass & sing along: St. Patrick's Day playlist
- Don't touch that clock! Rest of U.S. springing ahead to Daylight Saving Time
- Pima Supes appoint Holocaust denier as Libertarian Party official
- Snow day? 1-3 inches could fall around Tucson, high winds forecast overnight
- Flaky forecast: 6-22 inches of snow possible in Southern Arizona mountains
- More stories »
