Hempstead Soldier Dies In Iraq

HEMPSTEAD, Texas -- The son of a veteran Hempstead police officer died in Iraq when a bomb exploded near his vehicle, KPRC Local 2 reported Thursday.

Army Staff Sgt. Jeffery L. Hartley, 25, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Ga. He was on his fifth tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed on Tuesday.

Hartley entered the military after he graduated from Hempstead High School in 2001. While a student, he was a member of the football team and power lifting team.

Gail Schroeder, Hartley's senior English teacher, said she was devastated and saddened when she learned of his death.

"It's particularly hard when they were someone who was so well loved and so well liked and well respected," she said.

Lupe Carpenter, a local hairdresser, gave Hartley many haircuts during his childhood and high school years.

"He was a good kid in school, just a good kid in general," Carpenter said. "The town will miss him greatly."

Hartley's funeral arrangements have not been announced.