Army Sgt. Lance O. Eakes

Died April 18, 2008 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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25, of Apex, N.C.; assigned to the 1132nd Military Police Company, North Carolina Army National Guard, Rocky Mount, N.C.; died April 18 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

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N.C. guardsman dies in Iraq

The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. — A military police officer from the North Carolina National Guard has died in a roadside bombing in Iraq, military officials said Monday.

Spc. Lance Oliver Eakes, 25, of Apex was killed Friday when his Humvee was hit by an improvised explosive device. The bombing occurred as he returned from a mission with Iraqi police near Baghdad, according to a statement from the National Guard.

Eakes, on his second deployment to Iraq, was a member of the 1132nd Military Police Company, headquartered in Rocky Mount. He was promoted posthumously to sergeant.

Two other soldiers were hurt but suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the statement said. Their names weren’t released.

Eakes’ father, John, said his son “couldn’t believe what happened on 9/11” and wanted to serve his country. Lance Eakes decided military police training would help his law enforcement career aspirations, his father said.

Eakes also is survived by his mother, Tammy Eakes. His parents live in Wake County.

The National Guard said Eakes was the ninth North Carolina National Guardsman to be killed during fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another soldier from the Eakes’ military police company was killed and 14 were wounded during a mortar attack about two weeks ago.

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Army Spc. Lance O. Eakes remembered

The Associated Press

Lance O. Eakes’ family remembers when he pulled a fire alarm at school when he was in first grade. His parents recalled how terrified of being arrested Lance became.

“For weeks, we’d say, ‘Hey, the police are coming for you,’” said John Eakes, his father. “That kept him acting in line for a really long time.”

Eakes, 25, of Apex, N.C., was killed April 18 in Baghdad by an explosive. He was a 2001 high school graduate and was assigned to Rocky Mount.

Serving his country was his son’s No. 1 reason for joining the National Guard, his father said.

“He couldn’t believe what happened on 9/11,” John Eakes said.

Lance wanted to serve his country, and “he felt like the training would be good for his career aspirations.”

Eakes aspired to be a law enforcement officer. “That’s why he decided to be an MP,” his father said. “He wanted to be a policeman or a highway patrolman.”

A competitive kick boxer, Eakes had multiple awards and belts for his abilities. He was a Royal Ranger and an active member of the fellowship of Christian Frontiersmen at his church.

He also is survived by his mother, Tammy.