Army Sgt. Andrew J. Derrick

Died September 23, 2005 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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25, of Columbia, S.C.; assigned to the 411th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas; killed Sept. 23 when his dismounted team came under attack by enemy forces using small-arms fire near Baghdad.

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Small-arms fire kills soldier near Baghdad

In his last call home, Andrew J. Derrick said he was hungry for a steak and wanted to go to the South Carolina-Vanderbilt football game.

“He was very tired,” said his stepfather, Carey Shealy. “It was 2 a.m. his time when he called, and he had had just four hours of sleep. He had been working 20-hour days. He said he couldn’t wait to get home to see us.”

Derrick, 25, of Columbia, S.C., was killed Sept. 23 by small-arms fire near Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Hood and had previously served in Bosnia and South Korea.

“He was just the sweetest,” said his aunt, Barbara Rainey.

“It was always, what can I do for you?”

He was a graduate of Marion Military Institute, lettering in varsity football, baseball and basketball. He was named the class of 1998’s “Best All Round Athlete” and was named to Alabama’s All

Star Baseball Team in 1998. He later attended Francis Marion University.

Derrick had proposed to Sgt. Shaunna Miller, whom he met in an Army infirmary after injuring his leg playing softball in Korea.

He also is survived by his mother, Suzanne Shealy, father, Butch Derrick and stepmother, Deborah Derrick.

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S.C. soldier buried with full military honors

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. — An Army sergeant killed by a sniper in Iraq last month has been buried with full military honors here, following an emotional funeral.

Andrew Joseph Derrick, 25, was killed Sept. 23 while on patrol in Baghdad with Iraqi police. Derrick had been scheduled to return to Columbia Oct. 12 for a two-week visit.

More than 500 people attended the funeral Sunday at Northeast Presbyterian Church.

“What matters,” his mother, Suzy Shealy, said, “is that Joseph is honored as someone who is very brave.”

Derrick “put himself in harm’s way for the weak and defenseless, said the Rev. George Crow.

Derrick had completed tours of duty previously in Bosnia, South Korea and Iraq.

Crow concluded his remarks, gazing down at the flag-draped coffin and at Derrick’s family.

“We thank you for the life of a heroic man with such a tender heart,” the minister said.

At a nearby cemetery, seven soldiers each fired three volleys, followed by “Taps” from a bugler in the distance.