Friends fondly recall Garrison (Fallen in Iraq)

Sgt. Landis Garrison, shown in an undated family photo in Iraq, was killed Thursday in Iraq.

Fallen soldier of the 333rd died from a gunshot wound sustained while cleaning his 9mm pistol

Described by friends and co-workers as an optimistic, fun-loving person, Sgt. Landis W. Garrison, 23, of Rapids City will be greatly missed by those who knew him best.

Friends say Garrison was almost always upbeat and approached every challenge with a positive attitude.

"I can't remember a day when I didn't see at least a little bit of a smile on Landis' face," said Mike Poel, a close friend of Garrison's and assistant fire chief for the Port Byron Fire Department, where Garrison served as a volunteer firefighter. "Every picture I've got of him, (he's) grinning ear to ear. ... He was the quintessential guy that could take the lemons and make lemonade."

Garrison died Thursday as a result of an accidental gunshot wound while serving with the Freeport-based 333rd Military Police Unit, of the Illinois National Guard, currently stationed in Iraq. He is the first casualty the unit has experienced since being deployed in April 2003.

According to a news release from the Illinois National Guard, Garrison was cleaning his 9mm pistol when the weapon discharged. He was taken to a nearby medical treatment facility, where he was pronounced dead. Funeral services have not yet been scheduled as it may take seven to 10 days for the body to be shipped back home, according to Garrison's friends.

Garrison's parents, Randy and Leah, and his siblings - an older brother and an older sister - declined to comment for this story.

Major Tim Franklin, public affairs officer for the Illinois National Guard, said the military offers families support while they deal with the loss of a loved one. Families are assigned a casualty assistance officer who can help them with funeral arrangements, dealing with the media, insurance benefits, or other issues, Franklin said.

"I would imagine any family would be just devastated by news like this," Franklin said. "It's always a shocking thing."

Shock was definitely the reaction for Garrison's friends back home. Poel said that on Thursday evening, all the firefighters of the Port Byron department were called in for a meeting and told of the news. Garrison's friends and fellow firemen were devastated, Poel said.

"It came as a total surprise," Poel said. "You could've knocked me over with a feather. ... If we would have had a fire that night, we probably would've had to call somebody else in. I'm not sure we could've handled it."

Firefighters cried that night and also spent some time reminiscing about Garrison. They talked about the good times with their friend and shared stories. One fond memory Poel has of Garrison was how he would always wear a large belt buckle. Poel said Garrison was well-liked by everyone who knew him.

The news of Garrison's death hit people hard in the Freeport area as well, especially considering Garrison is the first casualty for the 333rd. Freeport Mayor Jim Gitz said he personally felt a sense of loss when he heard the news of Garrison's death.

"Even though he is from outside the area, our community identifies with each and every member of the 333rd," Gitz said. "It's like losing a member of your family."

Cal Wescott, a member of the local Family Readiness Group, said this is a difficult time for everyone associated with the 333rd unit.

"Anytime you lose a soldier from your unit in the area, everybody takes it real hard," Wescott said. "It's a very sad thing for the community and the family."

In addition to working as a volunteer firefighter, Garrison was a part-time officer with the Hampton Police Department and did tractor repair work, said Steve Sallows of Port Byron, a friend and co-worker of Garrison's. Sallows is a volunteer coordinator and regular firefighter/EMT for the Port Byron Fire Department.

Sallows said it was part of Garrison's active, outgoing nature to be "community-oriented" and "involved in everything." Prior to the deployment, Garrison was committed to pursuing a career in law enforcement. He graduated from Riverdale High School outside Port Byron and joined the military when he was 17.

Police work, military or otherwise, was a major part of Garrison's life, Sallows said. After hearing about his unit's extension in April, Garrison was disappointed, but still approached his military duty with vigor and enthusiasm, Sallows said.

"He wanted to be a cop," Sallows said. "He definitely would've become a full-time police officer. ... He's a very out-going, energetic (person)."

Officer Chad Vroman with the Hampton Police Department served in the police academy with Garrison and knew him very well. He said it will not be easy for Garrison's friends and family to recover from this tragic loss.

"All our hearts go out to his friends and family," Vroman said. "This is quite an ordeal to go through. We lost our brother."

The fact that Garrison's death was reportedly accidental has not lessened the blow for his friends.

Wescott said those interested in sending a card to the Garrison family should bring it to the National Guard armory on Adams Street in Freeport.

The story about his funeral was not available online. A Brigadier general who spoke called Garrison a hero three times over because he was a firefighter, a cop and a soldier. He was born to his final rest on the back of a Port Byron fire truck and accorded full honors by his colleagues from all three of his brave vocations.

If you would like to leave a message for his family, you can do so here. Obituary follows:

Sgt. Landis W. Garrison
RAPIDS CITY -- Sgt. Landis W. Garrison, 23, of Rapids City, died Thursday, April 29, 2004, while serving his country in Abu Gharb, Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, from a 9mm accidental discharge.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. [May 9th] at Riverdale High School in Port Byron.

Pastor Kathy Remley of First Baptist Church in Cordova will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Coal Valley Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Port Byron Fire Fighters Association or to the family.

Landis was born Jan. 8, 1981, in Moline, the son of Randy and Leah Garrison of Rapids City. Landis was a graduate of Riverdale High School with the class of 1999.

Landis graduated boot camp and AIT at Fort Leonardwood, Mo., on March 31, 2000, Co. A 795th MP Battalion. Landis was currently assigned with the Army National Guard unit, 333rd Military Police Co. of Freeport.

While with the 333rd, he helped with the Quad Cities flood of 2001 and served airport security duty after Sept. 11, 2001, at Chicago O'Hare and Peoria airports for several months. Landis completed training with the 333rd in Germany and Nicaragua.

He attended several Fire College classes while with the Port Byron Fire Department and was completing police training with the Hampton Police Department before departure to Iraq. Landis was deployed Feb. 9, 2003, with a departure ceremony for Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 3, 2003. Landis left for Iraq in April.

While in school, Landis was involved in Cub Scouts Den 4 Pack 304, Port Byron. He was an East Moline Police Explorer with Post 9594, an achieved rank of Captain. While still in high school, he joined the Port Byron Fire Department. He was a volunteer with DCFS as a mentor.

Landis was involved in the family businesses of Quality Repair Inc., Quality Snow Removal, Quality Trucking Inc., all in Colona. Landis was employed part-time at Grisham's Towing Service in Hampton. Landis was a part-time police officer for the Hampton Police Department.

Landis loved life and a good challenge, family, friends and flashing lights (the more the better).

He was an avid WLLR country music fan and enjoyed line dancing, was a John Deere toy collector (big and small). Landis loved working at the shop, driving a semi, running heavy equipment, and especially plowing snow. Landis made everyone laugh no matter what their mood. Nothing was more dressier then a pair of Wranglers, big belt buckle, cowboy hat and a pair of Oakley sunglasses.

He was proud to serve his country, fellow officers and help people of all walks of life.

Survivors include his parents, Randy and Leah Garrison of Rapids City; a brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and April Musser of Port Byron; sister and brother-in-law, Amber and Bradley Peterson of Orion; grandparents, Landis and Elizabeth Garrison of Coal Valley and Lela Roselieb of Erie and Sally Musser of Cordova; uncles and aunts, Mike and Cindy Garrison, Jeff and Pam Miller, Rick and Pat Edie, Darrell and Marilyn Roselieb, Jerry Roselieb and David and Georgia Cooper; several cousins; and two very special nephews, Hayden Musser and Brady Peterson.

Landis had a secondary family whom are very special to him, John, Trena, Tony, Jessica and Adam DeCap, and many other special friends who know who they are.

Landis was preceded in death by his grandfather, Oscar (Ted) Roslieb.

Sgt. Landis W. Garrison, 23, of Rapids City, Illinois - died April 29th as a result of an accidental gunshot wound while serving with the Freeport-based 333rd Military Police Unit, of the Illinois National Guard, currently stationed in Iraq.

Mr. Silverback: "The story about his funeral was not available online. A Brigadier general who spoke called Garrison a hero three times over because he was a firefighter, a cop and a soldier. He was born to his final rest on the back of a Port Byron fire truck and accorded full honors by his colleagues from all three of his brave vocations."

~*Sgt. Landis W. Garrison*~

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