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
-
-
Bangor, Maine: The place where diverted flights go
Given the size of the place, the name "Bangor International Airport" might seem a little grandiose. But the airport actually gets an outsize share of international visitors.
-
Obama birth certificate OK by Arizona official
Arizona's secretary of state said Wednesday that Hawaii's official verification of President Barack Obama's birth records meets necessary requirements, meaning the president's name will appear on Arizona's ballot in the fall.
-
Obama, Dems redoubling money efforts to keep edge
His cash advantage threatened, President Barack Obama and his party are redoubling their fundraising efforts after robust hauls by Republican rival Mitt Romney and a slew of GOP-leaning super PACs that are raking in cash from the party faithful highly motivated to topple the Democrat.
-
Phillip Phillips is the new 'American Idol'
Bluesy guitar man Phillip Phillips of Leesburg, Ga., wins 11th "American Idol" crown.
-
States looking to new tolls to pay for highways
Driving onto an Interstate highway? Crossing a bridge on the way into work? Taking a tunnel under a river or bay? Get ready to pay.
-
$18.5M settlement for 'Transformers 3' injury
The family of a woman left with brain damage after an accident during the filming of "Transformers 3" has reached an $18.5 million settlement with Paramount Pictures.
-
Senate candidate visits Alexandria ethanol plant
In his first post-primary visit to Madison County on Wednesday, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Joe Donnelly visited the Poet Biorefining plant here to underscore his support for energy independence and Indiana corn farmers.
-
States looking to new tolls to pay for highways
Driving onto an Interstate highway? Crossing a bridge on the way into work? Taking a tunnel under a river or bay? Get ready to pay.
With Congress unwilling to contemplate an increase in the federal gas tax, motorists are likely to be paying ever more tolls as the government searches for ways to repair and expand the nation's congested highways.
-
US stocks open lower as European leaders meet
Markets are swooning in Europe and the U.S. as investors become increasingly skeptical that European leaders will succeed at jump-starting the region's economy and preventing a messy exit from the euro by Greece.
-
School bus crashes into central Indiana home
A school bus rumbled through the backyard of a suburban Indianapolis home and crashed into the side of the house.
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
Bangor, Maine: The place where diverted flights go
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI
Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
