INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana soldier who trained others to help new veterans with paperwork was among the 13 people killed after an Army psychiatrist opened fire at Fort Hood, Texas, his family said Friday.
Army Staff Sgt. Justin M. DeCrow, 32, left behind his wife and high school sweetheart, Marikay DeCrow, and a 13-year-old daughter, Kylah DeCrow. His wife said Friday night that she wanted everyone to know what a loving man he was. She paused frequently during a phone interview, crying as she talked about him.
"He was well loved by everyone," Marikay DeCrow said. "He was a loving father and husband, and he will be missed by all."
DeCrow had been stationed at Fort Hood since returning from a year stationed in Korea, said his father, Daniel DeCrow of Fulton, Ind. Before that, DeCrow was stationed at Fort Gordon, Ga., where he and his wife and daughter had a home, his father said.
DeCrow felt safe at Fort Hood, his family said.
"He was on a base," Marikay DeCrow said. "They should be safe there. They should be safe."
Daniel DeCrow said his son joined the Army right after finishing high school in Plymouth, Ind. He said they talked last week about how things were going at Fort Hood, where DeCrow was helping train soldiers to help new veterans with paperwork.
"As usual, the last words out of my mouth to him were that I was proud of him," Daniel DeCrow said. "That's what I said to him every time — that I loved him and I was proud of what he was doing. I can carry that around in my heart."
Marikay DeCrow said she spent hours frantically calling hospitals trying to locate her husband after the shootings.
"But no one could find him anywhere," she said. "No one could find my husband because he was gone."
"I just want my husband back," she added. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Daniel DeCrow said he called his son's cell phone repeatedly after learning of the shooting, but got no answer.
"When his cell phone box filled up, then I got worried," he said.
Military officials say Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire Thursday as hundreds of soldiers were lined up for vaccines and eye tests. Thirteen were killed and 30 wounded. Hasan was in a coma Friday after being shot four times.
A soldier who grew up in Lafayette was one of those injured, his uncles said Friday. Lafayette residents Elmo Robledo and Rex Deaton told the Journal & Courier their 26-year-old nephew's injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. Hewitt is being treated at a Fort Hood area hospital.
Breaking News
Soldier raised in Indiana among those killed at Fort Hood
Staff Sgt. Justin M. DeCrow, 32, leaves behind wife, daughter
- Breaking News
-
-
U.S. stocks fall as Greek bailout debate winds on
Stocks are falling on Wall Street in midday trading Tuesday, weighed down by continuing economic struggles in Europe.
-
Judge: Sandusky can have local jury, see grandkids
A judge rejected requests by prosecutors that jurors be brought in from outside the State College area to hear the child sex-abuse case against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
-
Funeral for Whitney Houston set for Saturday in New Jersey
Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child.
-
10 Indiana measles cases confirmed; 1 at SB Village
Indiana health officials say the number of confirmed measles cases in central Indiana has grown to 10 children and adults.
-
Anderson hires consultant to assess software
The city has hired a consultant to help the controller’s office assess financial software that Anderson has used for many years, but typically has not been effective.
-
Bedbugs found at Indianapolis children's hospital
An infestation of bedbugs discovered in a room at the Riley Hospital for Children has been contained, a spokeswoman for the Indiana University Health said Monday.
-
Indiana court rules governor doesn't have to testify
The Indiana Supreme Court ruled Monday that Gov. Mitch Daniels doesn't have to answer questions under oath in a $400 million lawsuit that the state filed against IBM Corp. after he canceled the company's contract to process welfare applications.
-
South Madison board interviews 4 finalists
The search went from 12 to four, and on Thursday, only one will remain to fill the vacancy of the South Madison Community School Corp. board.
-
Judge denies continuance for man involved in ’08 prison riot
Upon showing up for sentencing at the Madison County Government Center Monday afternoon, Joseph Martin was displeased to learn Circuit Court 6 Judge Dennis Carroll would not be handing down his sentence, as he was on vacation.
-
House GOP have backup on payroll tax
In an abrupt about-face, House GOP leaders announced Monday that they are willing to extend the two percentage point cut in the payroll tax through the end of the year and add the approximately $100 billion cost to the nation's $15 trillion-plus debt.
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
U.S. stocks fall as Greek bailout debate winds on
Raw Video: Biden Greets Chinese VP for Visit
Raw Video: Heavy Shelling in Homs, Syria
Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
