By the International Association of Field Service Technicians (IAFST)
Published on October 26, 2025
The International Association of Field Service Technicians (IAFST) extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Michael Dodge II, a dedicated field service technician whose life was tragically cut short on October 21, 2025, while performing his duties in Stafford County, Virginia. Michael’s untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks our members face daily in securing and preserving properties across the nation. As a trade association committed to advancing the professionalism, safety, and welfare of Field Service Technicians and Inspectors alike, we are compelled to address this incident not only as a profound personal loss but as a pivotal moment for our industry to reflect, reform, and recommit to protecting those who safeguard our communities’ assets.
Field Service Technicians like Michael are the backbone of the mortgage field services sector, often working in isolation to execute critical tasks such as property inspections, lock changes, winterizations, and debris removals on foreclosed or distressed properties. These roles demand technical expertise, physical resilience, and an unwavering sense of responsibility—qualities Michael exemplified, according to those who knew him. His family described him as a man with a “very big heart,” always ready to lend a hand, protect his loved ones, and approach every job with integrity. At just 35 years old, Michael was a father from Caroline County, Virginia, whose contributions extended far beyond the properties he serviced; he was a pillar in his community, leaving behind young children and a legacy of kindness.
The Circumstances of the Incident
On the morning of October 21, 2025, Michael arrived at a single-family home on the 600 block of Mountain View Road in Stafford County to resecure the property and change the locks, a standard assignment in the foreclosure preservation process. Dispatched through a chain of unregulated order mills in the mortgage field services industry, he expected a routine task on what was presumed to be a vacant property following foreclosure proceedings. Tragically, the home was occupied by 64-year-old Donald Thomas, who had not vacated despite eviction notices and a recent Sheriff’s sale of the asset.
According to reports from local authorities and Michael’s family, as Michael approached the property, he encountered Thomas, who became aggressive and brandished a firearm. Michael promptly contacted his dispatch coordinator via phone to report the situation, alerting them to the presence of an armed individual. In the midst of this exchange, gunshots were heard over the call, and the line went dead. Responding deputies from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office arrived to find Michael unresponsive in the driveway, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Thomas was arrested shortly thereafter following a brief standoff and charged with first-degree murder and unlawfully shooting or wounding in the commission of a felony. He remains in custody at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
Compounding the family’s grief, Michael’s loyal companion—a husky-shepherd mix named Wiz—was with him at the time and has not been located. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has been instrumental in supporting the search efforts, including securing Michael’s truck overnight to encourage Wiz’s potential return. The IAFST joins Michael’s parents, Lea and Michael William Dodge, in their plea for information on Wiz’s whereabouts and offers our full support to the family during this unimaginable time.
This incident underscores the unpredictable dangers field service technicians encounter, particularly when site intelligence is incomplete or outdated. Properties in foreclosure limbo can harbor holdover occupants facing their own hardships, creating volatile situations that demand proactive risk mitigation. Michael’s call for help highlights the isolation many technicians endure, relying on mobile communication as their primary lifeline—a vulnerability our association has long advocated against through enhanced protocols and technology.
The Vital Role and Risks of Field Service Technicians
Field Service Technicians and Inspectors operate at the intersection of real estate preservation and community stability, ensuring that distressed properties do not become eyesores, hazards, or liabilities. Unlike drive-by inspectors, though, who conduct remote assessments from the safety of their vehicles, Field Service Technicians like Michael engage directly with sites: installing secure locksets, boarding windows, removing debris, and addressing biohazards. These hands-on interventions are essential to maintaining property values, preventing urban blight, and facilitating the recovery process for lenders and communities alike.
However, this proximity to potential hazards exposes technicians to risks far beyond the routine—ranging from structural instabilities and environmental exposures to confrontations with unauthorized occupants. Data from industry reports, including those compiled by organizations like the IAFST, indicate that violent incidents, though rare, have risen in recent years amid economic pressures and housing instability. Technicians often work as independent contractors under 1099 status, which can limit access to comprehensive benefits, training, and safety resources. Michael’s case brings renewed urgency to clarifying employment classifications, ensuring workers’ compensation coverage, and mandating site-specific risk assessments.
The IAFST has championed these issues through our certification programs at the IAFST University, advocacy efforts, and partnerships with stakeholders. Our members benefit from specialized training in de-escalation, emergency response, and property evaluation—tools that equip them not only to perform effectively but to return home safely each day.
Industry Response and the Need for Transparent Communication
In the wake of this tragedy, communications from industry vendors have circulated among contractors, prompting important discussions about accountability and terminology. A message from Sand Castle Field Services, one of the subcontractors involved in the assignment chain, referred to the event as a “tragic and unfortunate incident,” as opposed to the horrific murder that it was. Similarly, NAMFS Executive Director Eric Miller’s email to members on October 23, 2025, described Michael as an “employee,” a characterization that has drawn scrutiny given the prevalent independent contractor model in our field. In both cases, the lack of proper due diligence and mischaracterization of the horrendous crime committed created an environment where factual data was not available.
While these responses aimed to inform and coordinate, they also highlight opportunities for more empathetic and precise language that honors the human element. Acknowledging the full scope of such events—naming the individual affected, outlining immediate support measures, and committing to investigative transparency—can foster trust and prevent the perception of minimization. The IAFST appreciates the swift actions taken by first responders and appreciates the ongoing cooperation from law enforcement as the case progresses through Virginia’s judicial system.
We also commend the work of industry watchdogs like Foreclosurepedia, whose detailed coverage of this incident has amplified the voices of field service professionals. As a key resource for exposing systemic challenges in mortgage field services—from subcontractor opacity to labor misclassification—Foreclosurepedia plays a vital role in driving accountability. The IAFST supports their mission and collaborates where possible to bridge gaps between vendors, regulators, and the workforce, ensuring that stories like Michael’s lead to tangible change rather than isolated outrage.
IAFST’s Commitment: Launching the Dodge Memorial Fund
In Michael’s memory, the IAFST is establishing the Dodge Memorial Fund, a dedicated initiative to empower aspiring and established Field Service Technicians and Inspectors with the resources needed to thrive safely and professionally. This fund will provide full IAFST memberships and specialized training scholarships to eligible recipients, targeting those who demonstrate financial need, a commitment to the field, or circumstances that mirror the precarity many Field Service Technicians and Inspectors face.
Eligibility criteria will include:
- Entry-Level Technicians: Individuals new to the industry, particularly those from underserved communities, who lack access to initial training.
- Experienced Workers in Need: Current technicians facing economic hardship, such as those impacted by injury, family obligations, or assignment droughts.
- Veterans and First Responders Transitioning: Honoring Michael’s service-oriented spirit by prioritizing those with military or emergency services backgrounds entering field services.
Memberships granted through the fund will grant access to our full suite of benefits: online forums for peer support, discounted liability insurance, legal advocacy resources, and exclusive webinars on emerging regulations. Training components will focus on high-impact areas, including:
- Safety and Risk Management: Courses on site reconnaissance, duress signaling via NFC-enabled tools, and paired-assignment protocols.
- Technical Proficiency: Hands-on modules for lock installations, biohazard handling, and digital reporting to streamline workflows.
- Professional Development: Business acumen sessions to navigate contractor status, negotiate fair reimbursements, and pursue NAICS code recognition for our profession.
The Dodge Memorial Fund will launch with an initial allocation of 25 scholarships, funded through IAFST member donations, corporate sponsorships, and a portion of our annual conference proceeds. We invite our network—Field Service Technicians, Inspectors, Vendors, Servicers, and allies—to contribute. By investing in this fund, we not only honor Michael’s legacy but build a more resilient workforce, one equipped to handle the challenges of tomorrow.
Broader Implications for Safety and Advocacy
Michael’s death compels us to renew our calls for industry-wide enhancements. Foremost is the adoption of robust pre-assignment protocols: mandatory occupancy verifications through multiple sources, real-time GPS tracking integrated with dispatch systems, and mandatory duress alerts that summon immediate law enforcement support. The IAFST has piloted NFC-embedded ID cards that project neutral, de-escalatory messages during approaches—technology that could have provided Michael critical seconds to retreat or seek aid.
Legally, this incident raises questions about duty of care in subcontractor chains. Under Virginia’s workplace violence statutes and federal OSHA guidelines, vendors must demonstrate reasonable efforts to foresee and mitigate threats. We urge servicers to audit their ordering processes, ensuring that “vacant” designations are rigorously vetted. Five dollar drive-by inspections do not ensure the safety and security not only of Field Service Technicians, but homeowners alike. Economically, fair compensation is non-negotiable: technicians deserve per-task rates that account for travel, tools, and risk premiums, moving beyond the $25-$50 lockout fees that undervalue our expertise.
Ethically, our profession stands at a crossroads. Field Service Technicians are not interchangeable cogs but skilled professionals whose labor sustains the housing ecosystem. Bridging the divide between inspectors (who provide essential preliminary data) and technicians (who execute on the ground) through joint training initiatives can cultivate a unified front for reform. The IAFST is prepared to lead these efforts, partnering with Foreclosurepedia, FHA and other GSE’s and regulatory bodies to advocate for a Field Services Bill of Rights—codifying protections like paired crews for high-risk sites and dedicated safety budgets.
A Legacy of Protection and Professionalism
As Michael’s family prepares for his memorial, their words resonate deeply: “He was a good human.” In the IAFST’s view, this encapsulates the ethos we strive to instill in every member—a blend of compassion, competence, and courage. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, local media outlets like WUSA9, and the broader field services community, which has rallied around the Dodges with messages of solidarity and practical aid.
To Michael’s family: Your son’s impact endures in the properties he preserved, the colleagues he inspired, and now, in the reforms we pursue. To our members: Let this be a catalyst to prioritize safety in every assignment—verify sites, communicate threats, and lean on IAFST resources. To the industry: Join us in transforming tragedy into progress, ensuring no technician faces such peril alone.
The Dodge Memorial Fund is more than a tribute; it is a promise. Visit iafst.org to learn more, donate, or apply. Together, we can secure not just properties, but the futures of those who protect them.
For membership inquiries, safety resources, or to connect with our advocacy team, reach out at press@iafst.org and in Michael’s honor, we move forward—safer, stronger, and united.
The International Association of Field Service Technicians (IAFST) is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to elevating the standards of field service work through education, certification, and advocacy. Learn more at iafst.org.