Ohioan among 4 civilians killed, mutilated in Iraq

The Columbus Dispatch ^ | April 2, 2004 | Connie Mabin

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WILLOUGHBY, Ohio — An Army veteran from Ohio was among four American contractors killed in Iraq, their bodies mutilated and dragged through the streets.

Family members said yesterday that Jerko "Jerry" Zovko, 32, died with three other civilians Wednesday after they were hit by rocket-propelled grenades in a rebel ambush. The victims worked for Blackwater Security Consulting, one of five subsidiaries of Blackwater USA based in North Carolina.

Zovko’s mother said she and her husband had suspected their son might be among the dead. Their fears were confirmed yesterday when the president of Blackwater USA knocked on their door.

"It was the hardest day of my life," Danica "Donna" Zovko said during an interview in her suburban Cleveland home.

"Jerry was a man with a principle, an idea," his mother said. "He loved people. He wanted the world to be without borders, for everybody to be free and safe."

The Zovkos’ suburban Cleveland apartment was crowded with grieving relatives yesterday, most too distraught to speak with reporters. The family wouldn’t say whether he was married or had children.

"My brother was an exceptional individual," Tom Zovko said. "He did what he thought was right."

Jerry Zovko was a Euclid High School graduate who joined the Army in 1991 at age 19. He spoke five languages fluently — English, Arabic, Croatian, Russian and Spanish.

Donna Zovko, holding back tears, proudly shared a framed photo of her son standing tall in his military uniform on the day he finished basic training.

"He was a great young man," his mother said. "And he died doing what he wanted to do."

Zovko last lived in the Cleveland suburb of Euclid in 2001, then began a career overseas with Blackwater, his mother said.

Also among the civilians killed was Michael Teague, 38, of Clarksville, Tenn., an Army veteran, and Scott Helvenston, 38, of Leesburg, Fla., a former Navy SEAL.

Teague who served 12 years, earned a Bronze Star for service in Afghanistan and also was stationed in Panama and Grenada, his wife, Rhonda, said in a prepared statement. She called her husband a "proud father, soldier and American."

Helvenston joined the Navy when he was 17. He served with the SEALs for 12 years and later worked as a fitness promoter. He also was an actor and stunt man for movies including G.I. Jane.

A representative said family members wouldn’t comment until today.

The names of the four victims were not officially released because not all family members had been notified, U.S. officials said.

Blackwater provides security training and guard services to customers around the world, employing mostly former military men.