Beneficiaries

Ofren Arrechaga

Army Sergeant First Class Ofren “AC” Arrechaga, 28, gave the ultimate sacrifice on March 29, 2011, when he was killed by small arms fire during a battalion-sized operation in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. The mission, carried out by his team of 1st Brigade Combat soldiers, was said to be the largest of its kind since the Vietnam War.
SFC Arrechaga served as an Infantryman with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). His courage, leadership, and devotion to his brothers in arms marked him as an exceptional soldier throughout his decade of service.
Tragically, March 28, 2011, was his young son’s third birthday. One day later, SFC Arrechaga gave his life in service to his country—just a month before he was scheduled to return home. His final words to his son, “Happy Birthday, Buddy. I love you,” will forever echo as a testament to both the cost of freedom and the depth of his love as a father.
Over his ten years of service, SFC Arrechaga earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and many others. These honors reflect his unwavering dedication, his bravery in combat, and his unselfish devotion to duty.
He is survived by his loving wife, his son, and his daughter, who will carry forward his memory and legacy of strength, sacrifice, and love.
SFC Ofren Arrechaga’s life reminds us that the cost of freedom is felt far beyond the battlefield—in the hearts of the families who love, remember, and honor those who serve.

Javier J. Gutierrez

Sgt. 1st Class Javier J. Gutierrez
August 12, 1991 – February 8, 2020
Sgt. 1st Class Javier J. Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, gave his life on February 8, 2020, from wounds sustained during combat operations in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. His sacrifice reminds us that the cost of war is not felt only by the families left behind, but also by all those whom our soldiers protect.
Born on August 12, 1991, in Jacksonville, N.C., Javier began his Army career in 2009 as an infantryman, stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., with the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. His determination and dedication led him to attend the Special Forces Assessment and Selection in 2012. Upon graduation from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2015, he earned the title of Green Beret and served as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), based at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
Throughout his military career, SFC Gutierrez deployed to Iraq with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and later to Afghanistan with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His courage, professionalism, and devotion to his teammates embodied the very spirit of selfless service.
“Sgt. 1st Class Gutierrez was a warrior who exemplified selfless service and a commitment to the mission—values we embody here in the 7th Special Forces Group,” said Col. John W. Sannes, commander of 7th SFG (Airborne). “He was among the best in our unit and will not be forgotten.”
SFC Javier Gutierrez’s life was marked by honor, sacrifice, and love for his country. He will be forever remembered by his family, his brothers-in-arms, and a grateful nation.

Ron Shurer

Serving with Honor, Dying from Disease: The Story of Medal of Honor Recipient Army Staff Sgt. Ron Shurer II

The story of Staff Sgt. Ron Shurer II is a powerful reminder that the cost of military service extends well beyond the battlefield. He survived war, showed extraordinary heroism, and received the nation’s highest military honor—only to later face a devastating health battle that claimed his life.

🟦 A Hero in Combat

Staff Sgt. Ron Shurer was a U.S. Army Special Forces medic who distinguished himself during a brutal 2008 firefight in Afghanistan. He saved multiple lives under heavy enemy fire, despite being wounded himself. For his actions, he was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest recognition for valor in combat.

On October 1, 2018, President Donald J. Trump presented Shurer with the medal in a ceremony at the White House. He was surrounded by his family, friends, and the teammates he had fought beside—men whose lives he helped save.

🟨 The Battle at Home: Stage 4 Lung Cancer

By the time of that White House ceremony, Shurer had already been fighting stage 4 lung cancer for over a year. Despite his diagnosis, he continued to embody strength and resilience, using his platform to raise awareness about cancer and veteran health issues.

• He was just 41 years old when he died on May 14, 2020, more than three years after his initial diagnosis.
• He left behind a wife and two young sons.

🔹 The Broader Message: Post-Service Health Risks

Shurer’s death highlights a crucial issue:

Veterans often face serious health risks long after they leave combat zones.

These include:

• Toxic exposure (e.g., burn pits, chemicals)
• Respiratory and lung diseases
• Mental health challenges
• Limited or delayed access to specialized care

In Shurer’s case, there has been public discussion around the possibility that his cancer may have been linked to toxic exposure—though not officially confirmed. Thousands of veterans have reported similar health issues after deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

🟩 A Legacy of Courage, in War and in Illness

Ron Shurer’s life is a testament to quiet heroism—not just in a firefight, but in how he faced terminal illness:

• He continued to advocate for fellow veterans.
• He used his story to bring visibility to veteran health care issues.
• And he showed that courage doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

🏅 Conclusion: Honoring All Sacrifices

The sacrifices made by service members are not always immediate or visible. While Staff Sgt. Shurer’s combat actions earned him national recognition, his post-service battle with cancer is equally part of his legacy.

He is a reminder that honoring our veterans means not only recognizing their valor, but also ensuring comprehensive care and support—long after the fighting ends.

🇺🇸 Rest in honor, Staff Sgt. Ron Shurer II.

Micah Walker

Staff Sergeant Micah Walker

On July 27, 2021, United States Army Staff Sergeant Micah Walker passed away during a training incident at the Army Combat Diver Qualification Course (CDQC) in Key West, Florida. He was a devoted husband, father, son, and soldier who lived his life with passion for his family, his faith, and his country.

Micah was born in Atlantic, Iowa, and raised in Falcon, Colorado, where he graduated from Colorado Christian High School. After high school, he attended the Honor Academy in Garden Valley, Texas, and later spent six years as a missionary with Impact Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was there he met and married his wife, Cori. Together they returned to Colorado to raise their family, and following the birth of their first daughter, Micah felt a strong call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Army.

In April 2017, Micah left his young family to begin Basic Training and Infantry OSUT at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He went on to complete Airborne School and transferred to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he undertook the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). Throughout his journey, Micah successfully completed a wide range of demanding courses, including Special Forces Assessment and Selection, Small Unit Tactics, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE), the Special Operations Combat Medic Course (SOCM), the Special Forces Medical Sergeant Course (SFMS), Tactical Skills, Robin Sage, and Russian Language Training. His perseverance and dedication culminated in earning the coveted Green Beret on January 27, 2021.

During his training, Micah and Cori welcomed two more children into their growing family. Despite the long separations and challenges of military life, Micah’s devotion to his wife and children remained his anchor.

On March 10, 2021, he reported to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson, Colorado. While his company deployed, Micah set his sights on furthering his skills and began training for the Army Combat Diver Qualification Course (CDQC). In July 2021, after completing pre-dive training, he earned his opportunity to attend CDQC and the Dive Medic Course in Key West. It was there, in pursuit of his commitment to excellence as a Special Forces Combat Medic, that his life was tragically cut short.

Justin P. DeSoto

Justin P. DeSoto, 36, passed away unexpectedly on April 4, 2024, after a short and courageous battle with illness. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Justin was born with a spirit of service and dedication, which he carried throughout his life. He proudly enlisted in the United States Army in 2007 and went on to serve 9½ years as a Communications Staff Sergeant in the Special Forces. A highly skilled Green Beret, Justin deployed twice to Afghanistan and Africa, serving his country with honor and courage. Over the course of his career, he earned numerous decorations, medals, badges, and citations in recognition of his commitment and sacrifice.

Following his retirement from the Army in 2016, Justin continued to build a life of purpose. In 2024, he completed his Master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Southern New Hampshire University, further exemplifying his drive to protect and serve in new ways.

Justin’s greatest pride was his family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Kellie, and his beloved son, Joshua, who will carry forward his legacy of strength, integrity, and love.

Justin will be remembered for his unwavering loyalty, his courage in the face of adversity, and his deep devotion to both his country and his family.

David R. Metcalf

The tragic death of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) David R. Metcalf in 2019 offers a profound lens through which to examine the devastating psychological and neurological impact of war, particularly as it relates to military suicide.

🔹 A Life of Service and Sacrifice

LTJG Metcalf served nearly two decades in the Navy—likely enduring chronic exposure to combat stress, high-pressure operations, and possibly repeated head trauma. While the physical wounds of warfare are often visible, it’s the unseen injuries—like traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and psychological trauma—that silently corrode the lives of many veterans.

🔹 His Final Act: A Call for Understanding

In a powerful and haunting final gesture, Metcalf:

• Stacked books on brain injury beside him, signaling his awareness that something deep inside him had changed.
• Taped a note to the door describing his symptoms:

“Gaps in memory, failing recognition, mood swings, headaches, impulsiveness, fatigue, anxiety, and paranoia were not who I was, but have become who I am. Each is worsening.”

• Shot himself in the heart, rather than the head—deliberately preserving his brain for scientific study.
  It was an act not of despair alone, but of desperation for answers, not just for himself but for others in the military community.

His brain was sent to a Defense Department lab in Maryland, where researchers investigate the links between military service and neurodegenerative conditions like CTE.

🔹 The Broader Crisis: Suicide in the Military

Metcalf’s death is not an isolated case:

• Over 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year in the U.S.
• Suicide rates among active-duty service members have increased more than 40% over the past two decades.
• Many of these deaths are tied to undiagnosed brain injuries, untreated PTSD, and the stigma surrounding mental health care.

🔹 The Impact of War on the Brain

Research increasingly shows that exposure to blast waves, concussive injuries, and sustained combat stress can alter brain function in ways similar to those seen in contact sports athletes. Conditions like:

• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Severe depression and mood dysregulation

…can all erode a person’s identity, memory, and emotional stability—exactly what Metcalf described in his final message.

🔹 Why Metcalf’s Story Matters

David R. Metcalf didn’t just take his own life—he left behind evidence, insight, and a path for researchers to follow. His act shines a light on:

• The need for early screening for TBI and neurotrauma in service members.
• Improved access to mental health care without stigma.
• Continued research into the long-term neurological effects of war.

LTJG Metcalf’s death is both a personal tragedy and a national wake-up call. His note and preserved brain were a message to us all: that the battlefield’s toll doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It’s a reminder that healing our veterans requires not only medical advancement, but empathy, listening, and action.

We must honor his sacrifice—not just with words, but with meaningful change.

Travis Cain

How do we honor those that have moved on…

In 2020 when we rode up for check deliveries to families of 10th Group Travis Cain was first to greet us when we got to the Springs. With a bigger than life personality we hit it off the moment we met and immediately he asked what could he do to help? So we made a plan and on the day of delivery he and some of the other Veterans escorted us to our location to surprise the families we came to honor. Travis saw that like him there were others out there cared about the community and all of those in it.

Despite the struggles he accrued over a lifetime of sacrificing for his country and others, Travis was a metal health advocate for all. He would often have long conversations with other veterans and friends to help them address their own struggles and seek out treatment. There is not a doubt that Travis had a great impact on a number of lives throughout his life.

Tomorrow is not guaranteed….

Samuel Hudson

The Hudson Family was not prepared for the sudden departure of Sam in March of 2023 while riding his bike with fellow firefighters in McAllister Park when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest. During this incident a number of units responded, both on and off duty, to assist with uninterrupted CPR until they could get him to the hospital. Sam was resuscitated but in critical condition and passed two days later.

At Sam’s second home, Brazilian Top Team, he spent his time training students, sharing his passion for jiu jitsu with his children and comraderies with all his friends. Someone who gives his all to his community while working and then continues to give more of himself for the betterment of others is a true hero.

Matt Herron

What’s the old saying, “when it rains it pours”? This was apparent in the challenges of the Herron family. Matt Herron, a volunteer firefighter from Rivers End, was fighting for his life on a number of occasions. Matt’s fight began in 2022 with a mass on his liver and it would be a painful process over the next year to alleviate some of the issues that complicated removing it. Less than a month after returning home Matt was in a motorcycle accident where he suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). With all of these challenges the family faced and endured their spirit and resilience continued on.

I first met Matt and his wife a year prior to them being selected as a beneficiary family. We were doing a Tour of Texas in 2024 and what better way to show support than help someone local. A friend told us of a fundraiser going on for a local firefighter so we rode out to support in whatever way we could. There were 5 motorcycles riding at the event and when we got back I spoke with Johnetta, Matt’s wife, and asked about Matt’s situation. Well a little over a year later we ended up surprising Matt at the fire station.

Less than a week after our delivery Matt passed. We were honored to escort the family to his celebration of life as riding was one of his greatest passions.

Donovan “Don” Apiag

In February 2023 Firefighter Donovan Apiag, 26, was operating on the roof at an apartment complex fire on a Saturday morning when his life would be forever changed. Upon arrival, they encountered heavy fire and smoke billowing from a two-story apartment building. The crew of Ladder 26 went to the roof to ventilate the building when the roof suddenly caved in engulfing Don. Don suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his body, including his legs, lower back, feet and hands. Forty days later and after several surgeries Don was released to his family.

Physical wounds are just a small part that have an impact on a life changing event. Family, trauma, mental health are just a few of the other things that individuals and families contend with on a daily basis as they battle the days ahead.

Darryl Garrett

October 2021 on the Northside of Houston Deputy Darryl Garrett would experience another one of life’s traumatic experiences. Garrett along with two other Deputies were working an extra security job when all three were shot, one resulting in death. Garrett was shot multiple times in the back and sustained several injuries. After more than 20 surgeries and nearly nine months of hospital care Darryl was finally released to go home where he would be recovering among family and friends.

It can be seen time and time again how those that put everything on the frontline for our safety seem to be an afterthought as time passes. It was a great honor to have been able to recognize this first responder and the sacrifice he made on our behalf.

Vicente “Ben” Masga

War is not kind. There are no guarantees or assurances that when setting off we will return. One thing that is certain is we are all changed by it in some form or fashion. Having lost his leg during deployment Ben came home to the challenges of a whole new life. The battles that he faced day in and out are some that those who have been to war are familiar with and those who have not will never understand. With the support of his family Ben found purpose and camaraderie in the We Defy Foundation. It can be seen in his everyday interactions with teammates that his love for jiu jitsu has given him a renewed outlook on life. We are forever looking to add to the spirit of “Never Quit” in individuals and it was a privilege to honor this soldier and his family

MARSOC Red Raider

Joseph Murray

KC-130 crashed in Mississippi

It is often overlooked at the shortness of life that takes so many of our soldiers. Even though war has been a constant in our lifetime we find loss outside of that and in the daily tasks that the world demands of us. Joseph Murray and his family endured this very happenstance. While in transport stateside Joseph was one of 17 fatalities of the KC-130 crash in 2017 that rocked the special forces command and devastated the families.

A lighter side of Joseph was seen in his love of surf and playing the guitar and ukulele. A family man to the core he did everything he could for his wife and children.

While his commendations were many it cannot be overlooked at the shortness of his time here. Honoring his family and country, being a great father and husband, life is to precious to be overlooked and taken for granted when tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Joseph Murray is survived by his wife and four children whom we honor and remind people that there is always a cost to preserving our Freedoms…

Youngsville Police Department

Randy James Guidry

From serving his country as a Marine to his community in Law Enforcement, Randy Guidry selflessly put the protection of others ahead of his own. At just 34 years of age and 13 years in Law Enforcement that protection came to an abrupt halt by complications of COVID. While much of the country sought containment Randy was constant in his dedication and commitment to his community and coworkers. A lover of motorcycles he was recently elected president of Blue Knights LA XIV Law Enforcement Club, a role in which he served with great honor. Outside of riding, His most cherished role was in that of being a dad to his little buckaroo Wyatt, who he enjoyed spending time with while patiently awaiting the arrival of his baby girl Jolie.

We tend to forget the constant dangers that our First Responders expose themselves to on our behalf. The unknowing hazards that exist and how they are navigated are the burdens that rests on the shoulders of every one of those Responders that take up the call. We must keep in mind that those dangers are not felt only by those in the depths of it but even more so by their families. So when one is lost it’s not just the family that feels it, it is the community as a whole that is impacted.

It is for this community that we try to help ease that burden just a little…

Fishers Police Department

Binh Dennis

A veteran of Fishers county Fire Department and Police Department Binh Dennis was the epitome of public service. Prior to becoming a police officer Binh served with the Fishers Fire Department for six years until he felt the pull towards law enforcement. A nine year veteran of the Fishers Police Department came to an abrupt halt when Officer Binh was in a wreck with his wife on his motorcycle.

Officer Binh Dennis suffered head, spine and pelvic injuries after crashing into a tree. His passenger and wife of 27 years, Mary Dennis, was not seriously injured. Dennis has undergone several surgeries and faces a long recovery.

This life changing event has impacted the Dennis family greatly and it is our goal that after a year we will be able to help them face the hard days, weeks, months, and years that are ahead.

7th SF Group

Angel Alverio

War is an uncertainty that only few will understand. The anticipation, fear, and restlessness are a constant companion for the family members at home. The reality is always there that one may not make it back, but the shocks are that much greater when accidents happen while at home.

On April 20, 2019, SFC Angel Alverio was killed in a car accident in Bothell, WA, just north of Seattle. With this tragic event Angel leaves behind his spouse and four children. Angel was a true Hero, both to his family at home and to his 7th Group Family. With numerous combat deployments to Afghanistan and operational deployments to Latin America, Angel earned multiple awards for acts of valor over his time as a Special Forces Non-Commissioned Officer. Despite all of the time away he sacrificed for his Nation he made the time and effort to be a part of his family, a son, a husband and a father to those he loved so much.

Tulsa Police Sergeant

Craig Johnson

People often take for granted the securities they enjoy without the thought of how they are so freely able to do so. Across the country our first responders put it all on the line every day with the uncertainty of what is to come. The unknown of what the days and nights present to them would be overwhelming for the average citizen yet they choose to serve a greater purpose by protecting the innocents in their cities. June 29, 2020 should have been just another day at the office but for two Tulsa police officers it was life changing.

Sgt. Craig Johnson and his partner Aurash Zarkeshan were conducting a traffic stop during their shift when both were shot multiple times, including in the head. Sgt. Johnson’s injuries were severe enough that they overtook him, and he would not recover. It is for those left behind, his wife and sons, who will struggle in the days, months, and years to come, that we strive to honor his sacrifice and remind all that there is a cost to everything we have and hold dear in life.

3rd Special Forces Group

Eric Emond

We often hear of the price of freedom yet less so the story behind it. Eric Emond was not just another Special Forces soldier, Eric was a WARRIOR. His journey started in the United States Marine Corps as a Scout Sniper. While in the Marines, Eric completed Army Ranger School and deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq. Eric was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps after seven years and joined the elite United States Army Special Forces Green Berets. While home on leave convalescing a severe TBI sustained during an RPG attack in 2009, Eric founded the Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial, dedicated to memorializing those sons and daughters of Massachusetts who died in service during the War on Terror.

In 2009, Eric was severely wounded by a rocket propelled grenade during an ambush while on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan. Eric suffered brain and spinal injuries but continued to engage the enemy over a 5-hour period saving the lives of several teammates. The wounds sustained during the battle warranted a medical discharge from the Army, but Eric rehabilitated himself and fought to stay in the Army. Eric was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, at Ft. Bragg, NC and is survived by his loving wife Allison and his three little princesses Lucy, Ruby, and Emilia. While he loved his country, his love for his family was unmatched.

Sergeant 1st Class

Will Duston Lindsay

Bravery…. a word frequently used out of context in such that, its true meaning, is often overlooked by those that come into contact with it. The valor of our military and first responders is second to none. This can easily be seen as they readily put themselves into harm’s way so that we may experience the freedoms and securities that they provide. One such provider of those freedoms was Sgt 1st class Will Lindsay. A devoted husband, dedicated father, son, and friend to many, Will was the face of bravery for everyone that knew him and a source of security for those that did not. While his life was filled with the love of everyone around him, his dedication to them to ensure their safety was done so through his 15 years of service in the military and as a Green Beret. Will’s achievements during his service were many but his greatest triumphs remained in Colorado, a loving wife and 4 beautiful daughters. It is for them that we honor Will by sharing his life and how he lived with those that he protected all across the country, so that they all can honor and Remember the Fallen….

….and when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: “Just another soldier reporting, Sir. I’ve served my time in Hell.”

Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it…it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it….

Houston Fire Department

Robert Yarbrough

Honor…a word that carry’s the weight of a person’s actions yet is lost in meaning in everyday conversation. As recipients of those that put their lives on the line every day for the public it is our duty to honor their actions and sacrifices by remembering why we call upon them in times of trouble and need. May 31, 2013 was one such time when tragedy struck the city of Houston in a horrific fire that claimed the lives of several of the city’s firemen. Running into the burning building Robert Yarbrough knew that a secondary collapse was imminent yet risked his life to save those still trapped inside. With over 31 years of his life dedicated to the city of Houston’s Fire Department it all came to abrupt halt as he sustained severe injuries to his neck, foot, leg, and shoulders. After speaking with Robert about our mission he was reluctant because he felt there were other people out there that were more deserving. His humbleness and bravery over the years ensured us we made the right decision in selecting him this year. Robert is going into his 17th surgery this August and we are hopeful for his speedy recovery as we remember those that have lost so much while giving to a cause greater than themselves.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, U.S. Navy

Ryan Lohrey

It’s such an honor to have gotten to know Ryan through his wife, his best friend and his mother. This is the first tribute we’re sharing here and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Ryan’s story sets the tone for all the stories we’ll share over the next few weeks: a celebration of how these men lived. It’s going to be impossible to capture all that they were and all they meant to those who loved them, but hopefully you’ll at least get a glimpse that will help you understand why they are so missed.

Ryan and Cassie Lohrey were married just 37 days before the crash. Just a week after Ryan’s funeral, Cassie found out she was pregnant with their first child. The mix of heartbreak and joy is almost impossible to process.

Cassie gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Ryan Jo Lohrey, on March 6, 2018. Ryan Jo is clearly daddy’s girl – from her sparkly eyes to her happy, easy demeanor. Since Cassie first announced her pregnancy, it has been beautiful to witness the incredible gift this child is to all those who loved her father.

So in the spirit of little Ryan Jo, and in the spirit of her always-happy daddy, Ryan, I hope that reading about all the guys brings many smiles to all of you.

When Ryan Lohrey was a teenager, his parents bought a farm and Ryan would strap his pickup truck to himself and pull the truck up and down the driveway as a workout. He told his parents he was going to win the Strongman contest.

He pushed his wife and kids around in a golf cart for exercise.

And after a random long day at work, he’d casually announce to his friends that he was heading over to the gym and “rowing a marathon today.” They’d stop in and feed him slices of pizza as he rowed tirelessly into the night.

While on vacation in Mexico, he swam so far out in the open water that his mother-in-law threatened to forbid him to come on any more family trips if he was going to scare her like that.

Ryan was, as his mom Teresa said, “a fitness fanatic.” He played football as a youth and into high school, but once he started adding significant weight and muscle, he came home and announced, “I’m done with this,” and started running, dropping weight and adding a new element to his physical fitness fanaticism. “That was my son,” she said. Once he decided to do something, that was it.

Growing up as an only child in rural Middletown, Indiana, his mom shared that he was “such a happy little boy, always smiling and not picky about anything.” Outgoing from the beginning, she said that throughout Ryan’s youth it was nothing to “wake up in the morning to 6 or 7 guys sleeping here. And then the next night they’d all be at someone else’s house.” That carried into his time in the military when he’d bring someone from base every time he’d come home to Indiana.

Ryan developed his strong and determined work ethic from his father, Michael, who owned a masonry business when Ryan was young. Ryan would ride his bike to wherever they were working to help on the jobs. His mom laughs at his chosen workday lunch: tuna and BBQ sauce. She said she lost count of how many can openers she bought over the years because Ryan would lose them at job sites.

Ryan enlisted in the Navy in 2007 after appeasing his mom’s request that he attend college (he attended two years of community college after high school). His original plan was to become a Navy SEAL, but issues with his ears diverted him into the medical corps where he trained to become a special operations corpsman, a SARC. As a SARC (Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman), Ryan trained alongside his team of Marine Raiders in addition to serving as a specialized medical provider. It was during SARC training that he met Greg Norman, who became his closest friend. As Ryan’s mom said, “Once he met Greg, oh it was him and Greg all the time. Boy, they were a team.”

Greg could talk about Ryan all day and when we spoke, I wanted to listen to Greg talk about Ryan all day. He’s designated himself as Ryan’s official “hype man” and is happy to assume the role. As he said, “There are just so many moments, so many memories.”

They met at dive training, during which Greg injured his ear drum. Ryan transported Greg home and then never really left. Greg says, “My wife, Jacque, and I pretty much adopted him that day.” It worked out well for everyone, because Ryan became almost as much a friend to Jacque as he was to Greg. He would hang out watching sports and drinking beer with Greg (sidenote: I learned that somehow a Hoosier became a diehard New England Patriots fan!), then he would shift gears and watch “Clueless” and compare notes with Jacque on the latest celebrity gossip from People Magazine.

From Greg: “Ryan was just a happy-go-lucky dude. No matter what was going on, he maintained an even keel and could shrug it off. He just didn’t let things matter more than they needed to matter.” He shared a story of when Ryan was taking care of both of their sons (Ryan’s son, Gavin, and Greg’s son, Wes) as babies and just did it with total ease, not letting the inevitable infant crying episodes get to him at all.

He echoed Teresa’s stories of Ryan’s “beast mode” physical fitness. “Man, he could push himself physically. And he didn’t drink anything except Monster and water when he was working out. One day he’d be downing back-to-back Monsters, then they next day he’d carry around a jug of water all day.”

Ryan had encouraged Greg to complete a marathon with him and Ryan had been on a mission to eventually complete a 100-mile endurance race. Finding time to train and actually complete the race was hard to work into his schedule and it hadn’t happened. Last weekend, Greg ran in a 100-mile endurance race, completing 93 miles before the 30-hour cutoff. Not to be discouraged and determined to finish what Ryan wanted to do, Greg will be taking on the Indiana Trail 100 (in Ryan’s home state, naturally) this coming weekend.

Ryan was married a short time and became father to Gavin in 2011 and Maelyn in 2013 before divorcing shortly after. Greg and Jacque had been there through Ryan’s first marriage and were wary when Ryan suggested he bring a girl to a concert that the three had been planning to attend together. It became clear that night that it went from hesitation to “Ryan, don’t screw this up” with Cassie.

Ryan and Cassie met in 2014 while he was training at a hospital in Michigan where Cassie served as a Labor & Delivery Nurse. She guided him through his one and only delivery and she recalls watching him hold the newborn much like the scene in “The Lion King” when the lion cub is presented. She had to tell him three times to “put the baby on mom’s chest!” as he seemed, for once, a bit stunned.

Ryan and Cassie had an easy relationship, mainly because he was happy doing anything as long as they were doing it together. Golfing, cooking, “he’d do anything with me because he was just always happy.”

They were married on June 3, 2017.

From Cassie: “Ryan was just a special soul. The life of the party. He was never grumpy, never stressed. He always had jokes – sometimes to the point where they were annoying, but still made me laugh. He loved his family so much, and loved being a father.”

“And I never felt more loved in my whole life.”

I found myself smiling and laughing during every conversation I had about Ryan, and that certainly seems fitting for the strong, fun-loving, adventurous, easygoing man that he was.

HM1 Ryan Lohrey
8/24/1986 – 7/10/2017

Deputy, Bexar County Sheriffs Department

Arturo Garcia

Arturo Garcia is a native Texan he was born in San Antonio, Texas. Art grew up in a very tough environment in the local projects called Alazan Apache Courts. Art attended Thomas Edison High School where he attained his High School Diploma.

Upon his successful completion of High School Art joined The United States Army in 1979. Art attended basic training at Fort Leonard wood, Missouri. Art continued his journey to Fort Benning Georgia where he attended AIT School. Art was stationed at Fort Lewis Washington and Germany. While in the Army Art tried out for and was accepted to the Army Boxing Team where he represented the Army. Unfortunately, in 1985 Art elected to end his career in the Army, in order to come home and take care of his aging parents.

This decision led Art to attend San Antonio College in 1990 where he completed the basic Police Academy obtaining his Basic Peace Officers license. After successfully completing the Academy, The Bexar County Sheriff’s Department hired Art where he is still currently employed. While on duty on March 17,2017 Deputy Art Garcia was involved in a major accident. Deputy Garcia was struck while conducting traffic enforcement by a driver who was texting while driving. Deputy Garcia suffered major injuries especially to one of his legs. The surgeons worked valiantly for several months after the accident trying to save Art’s leg after exhausting every known method to them a difficult decision was made to amputate his leg in order to fit him with a prosthetic leg.

The Bexar County Sherriff’s Office has been very supportive of Art and his Family during this very trying time. Art is hoping to return to work in mid-January if all goes as planned. Art is fighting through this episode in his life turning a negative into a positive by being a vocal figure in the fight against distracted driving in true Blue warrior fashion.