Sgt. 1st Class Rocky Herrera wasn't just Number 45, the total of military and non-military people with Utah ties who have died while involved in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Herrera, 43, was a brother, father, husband, uncle, son and grandfather. His family wanted everyone who attended Herrera's funeral Wednesday to know that. Near his open casket inside St. Ann Catholic Church were photos of the family man, the fisherman, the boxer and the Chicago Cubs fan.
He was remembered as someone who had a great sense of humor, a man who "inspired" others, lived life to the fullest and loved the outdoors.
His family also wanted people to know Herrera, who was based at Fort Lewis, was a hero.
Herrera and two others were killed Aug. 28 in Jaji, Afghanistan, in a blast by a suicide bomber. Family members had heard Herrera was trying to shield other soldiers from the bomber. He had served full time in the Army for about 20 years. His specialty was as an engineer, helping to build roads and bridges in Afghanistan.
During mass held before his burial with full honors in his hometown Salt Lake City, Herrera was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, which is given in recognition for acts of bravery and merit.
Capt. Jenn Foxworth read a letter written by Lt. Col. Mark Deschenes, who served with Herrera in Afghanistan, where Deschenes is commander of Task Force Pacemaker, based in Sharana.
Deschenes wrote that over a three-day period following Herrera's death, many soldiers came up to him to talk about their fallen comrade. On an "isolated outpost in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan," those soldiers described Herrera as someone who helped make them strong. At the time he died he was assigned to the 585th Engineer Pipeline Company, 864th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade.
"His loss to the Pacemaker family will be felt forever," Deschenes said. "There are no words to describe the void that cannot and will not be filled."
Deschenes called Herrera a "superior human example," selfless, hardworking and a dedicated soldier and family man.
"Those characteristics have been adopted and ingrained in the people who knew him, and in this way his legacy will continue to serve us," Deschenes wrote.
Herrera is survived by his mother, wife, four children, a brother and a sister. His cremated remains will be buried at the Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery next to his father Henry Herrera, who died last January.
E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com