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An American hero: Special Tactics Airman buried at Arlington

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Katrina Cheesman
  • 24th Special Operations Wing
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. --  Tech. Sgt. Timothy Officer, Jr., was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, surrounded by friends, family and teammates, Oct. 5, 2015.

Officer was a Special Tactics tactical air control party Airman who was killed in a military freefall accident on Eglin Range, Aug. 3, 2015. His brother, U.S. Army Sgt. Justin Officer, buried in Colorado Springs, Colo., was killed by an IED in a dismounted foot patrol, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 29, 2010.

His family remembers both as “American heroes who were larger than life itself.”

Officer, a two-time Bronze Star medal recipient, was known to many as a man of great sacrifice and intent. As an Airman who controlled air space and precision strikes, he was selected to serve alongside one of the Army’s elite special operations units, the 75th Ranger Regiment.

“Timmy was an impressive warrior,” said Master Sgt. Richard Douglas, one of Officer’s best friends. “He was smart, fast and fearless. Everyone respected Timmy for who he was, and for what he brought to the team.”

Officer received a Bronze Star Medal with Valor as a young airman first class in 2003, during the invasion of Iraq, distinguishing himself by heroism when a large artillery shell exploded fifteen feet from Officer and his U.S. Army teammates. Despite the chaos of the explosion, Officer jumped to action and eliminated two enemy killed in action while simultaneously coordinating close air support.

When his crew ran out of ammunition, Officer willingly put his life at risk to run across the battlefield and gather more ammunition. In the end, he contributed to 55 enemy killed and numerous enemy tanks destroyed with precisely coordinated air strikes, and “undoubtedly saved his fellow crewmembers with countless members” of the U.S. Army battalion, “directly aided in the defeat of the enemy,” according to his citation submitted by the Army.

Off the battlefield, Timmy was a giant of character, according to Douglas.

“He really tried to be a righteous man. He strove to devote himself to God, and was really focused on doing the right thing,” Douglas said, recalling that Officer had considered selling all his belonging to serve others across the country as a missionary. Instead, Officer decided to stay in the military to continue serve and support his special operations teammates.

Douglas also recalled how Officer devoted his time to mentoring others who were, particularly young teens who reminded Officer of himself growing up.

“He would mentor the guys at the Boy’s Ranch, because he grew up there,” Douglas said. “He would go back to give back.”

Teammates remembered how Officer would drop whatever he was doing to help a friend, and he often altered the mood of everyone he encountered.

“He would brighten any room he walked into with his humor, charm and an award-winning smile,” said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Caroon, a TACP who worked with Officer. “If you ever had a problem, he was the guy you could always lean on, and not only would he not mind, he would insist.”

For many, he was more than just a friend; he was family. To his friend’s children, he was known as Uncle Timmy. He loved kids, recalls Douglas, and would be the one adult playing with children during parties and events. When any of his friend’s children were having issues and needed someone to talk to, it was Officer who would offer to go for a drive with them and just listen.

One friend recounted a time when his four-year-old daughter asked Officer on the phone when she would see him next. Officer answered he would see her as soon as he could. The very next morning, Officer was at his friend’s house at 6 a.m. with orange juice, coffee and doughnuts to make sure he was there when she woke up.

It was moments like this one that showcase the cheerful, selfless man behind the battle-hardened veteran, who “brought light to the most bleak moment and always had an answer for those who needed direction,” shared Caroon.

While more than 100 people mourned together at the two fallen brothers’ resting place, members of the Special Tactics and TACP communities who couldn’t attend the interment simultaneously held their own memorial of Officer, showcasing their dedication to memorializing Officer’s life and legacy.

“Timmy was a man of honor and character,” said Douglas. “He was an American hero who will be missed, but never, ever forgotten.”