Sgt. Anthony Del Mar Peterson
Anthony Peterson graduated from Chelsea High School in 2005 where he was a member of the football team and named "Most Dependable" . He graduated from Rogers State University in Claremore in 2008.
Sgt. Peterson previously was deployed to Afghanistan in 2006-2007.
Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, Oklahoma's adjutant general, had this to say:
Oklahoma has lost another brave son. Sgt. Peterson was an exceptional soldier who worked tirelessly to protect the values that we as Americans hold close to our hearts. I ask for all Oklahomans to pray for his family and friends as they deal with this tragedy.
Friend, Jason Weis who is director of Stop Child Trafficking Now said this:
When you think about someone who gives their life for our country they kind of have a different status in our mind is just what they are willing to do. (He was) A true American hero.
Sgt. Peterson was not only passionate about protecting his country but about protecting children as an advocate for Weis's organization.
"We are on the front lines fighting for children we are going where the predators go, and going taking the fight to them, not waiting to pick up the pieces of children's broken lives, he wanted to prevent it," explained Weis.
Friend David Brace says he was shocked to hear the news his friend had died.
He says he will remember his zest for life and Anthony’s passion to lead others to Christ.
One of those things that he put together was a group called "Rescued" and it was primarily just to go out and do good things to people who need help.
As Anthony prepared for deployment to Afghanistan, he told David how excited he was.
We just talked it up about the opportunity to be able to serve the country, and serve people and do something that he had never done before.
Sgt. Anthony Del Mar Peterson leaves behind a 5 year old son; Mother, Terra Peterson; Father, Garth Peterson and sister, Brittany Peterson.