Serving schools and families since 2005
Serving schools and families since 2005
Rochester native, Sergeant Major Jeffrey Allen McLochlin, served both our community and our nation. Jeffery took a leave of absence as a police officer to fight with the Army National Guard in the War on Terror. He made the ultimate sacrifice defending his country in Afghanistan. His service in both the United States Army and the Army National Guard earned him many military awards and decorations. His service to his community and his love of friends and family earned him a legacy. Through the generosity of many compassionate community members, the Sgt. Major Jeffrey A. McLochlin Fund was created to celebrate his life and honor his memory.
McLochlin, 45, was killed Thursday morning in Afghanistan by small arms fire. His patrol was engaged by an anti-government element of unknown size, according to a military report the family was given. Nicholle McLochlin said her husband was going to retire soon from the Indiana National Guard and would have been eligible to do so in December of 07'. "Leaving his kids was just getting too hard," she said. Nicholle McLochlin recalled her 230-pound, 6 foot 2 inch husband sitting down for tea partys with his 5-year-old daughter, Kennedy. McLochlin was in the midst of his second tour of duty overseas since joining the Plymouth Police Department in 1999. Plymouth Police Chief Jim Cox described McLochlin as "a silent leader" on the force. At a news conference Thursday, Cox said his officers admired McLochlin because of his military experience.
In March 2005, McLochlin was honored for his service by Plymouth Mayor Gary Cook at a Common Council meeting. McLochlin spent much of 2004 in Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of a NATO peacekeeping mission. At that meeting, Cook called McLochlin a "shining example of a true American." On his most recent tour in Afghanistan, McLochlin left with Company B 2nd Battalion 152nd Mechanized Infantry with the Indiana National Guard.
Credit given to Chris Gautz, Tribune Staff Writer