Jul 7, 2009 10:18 pm US/Central
County Correctional Officer Killed In Afghanistan
Derwin Williams Is Survived By Wife, 3 Children
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Derwin Williams, of Glenwood, was killed by an explosion in Afghanistan.
CBS
A local drill instructor was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan just weeks before he was to come home to his wife and kids. Derwin Williams, 41, was on his second tour of duty. Tonight, Williams' wife and the Cook County Sheriff's office told CBS 2's Anne State about just how special he was.
The purpose of Cook County boot camp is to rehabilitate young people who have just gotten out of prison. Derwin Williams was a drill instructor here, who tried to show these young people a different side of life. And he often stayed late helping colleagues like Raymond Rodriguez.
"That was kind of that bond, like I just met you and you're looking out for me. I appreciated that," Rodriguez said.
The Cook County Sheriff's office says Williams was also in the National Guard. He was deployed to Afghanistan where earlier this week, his truck hit a roadside bomb.
"Although Derwin Williams was with the Sheriff's Office for a short time, his kindness and soft spoken manner had a great impact on everyone here," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said in a release. "He will be greatly missed and the thoughts and prayers of the entire Sheriff's Office go out to his family."
Today, his wife Felicia Williams stood outside their home in Glenwood, holding their wedding photo. She says her husband was due to come home next month.
"Last night when the two soldiers came to give me the news it was unreal, it's still unreal to me right now," Felicia said.
A group gathered outside the family home hugging, mourning the life of a man who wanted nothing more than to be home with his wife and kids; a man who always seemed to be happy.
"I don't care what the situation was, he always made light of it or found a way to make it better," Felicia said.
At the sheriff's boot camp this afternoon, flags were lowered to half-staff as a tribute to their fallen colleague.
"He will be missed," Rodriguez said. "He will definitely be missed."
Felicia Williams said her husband Derwin grew up on the south side and attended Morgan Park High School where he ran track and played football. She says he was a wonderful husband and father.
Williams is the second Cook County correctional officer to be killed while serving in the National Guard. Officer Jason Vazquez died in September 2008 during his first month in Afghanistan.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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