Family of slain Oklahoma soldier heads to Germany

The family of US Army staff sergeant Erick Petty is headed to Germany for a memorial service for their son, set for Friday. <br/><br/>Petty, who was from Fort Gibson, was killed this week in an ambush

Wednesday, May 5th 2004, 5:02 pm

By: News On 6

The family of US Army staff sergeant Erick Petty is headed to Germany for a memorial service for their son, set for Friday.

Petty, who was from Fort Gibson, was killed this week in an ambush in Baghdad, one day shy of his 29th birthday. His parents live in Harrah. They say they were told Erick died helping his fellow soldiers.

They say knowing their son was happy gives them some comfort. Erickâ€™s father, Ron Petty: "he just loved what he did. He liked the dirt and the mud and all the things that go with being a combat soldier and with all the training he did. He always liked that. And he trained hard. He did what he was supposed to do and he learned well and he died a soldierâ€™s way he was a good leader."

Erick's platoon was responsible for capturing eight of the most wanted Iraqi's.

Heâ€™ll be buried in the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson next week.