Utahn killed in Afghanistan protecting fellow soldiers

Sgt. 1st Class Rocky Herrera, 43, was killed Monday in Afghanistan, family members in Salt Lake City confirmed Wednesday.

Herrera was killed, family members said, while trying to protect fellow soldiers from a suicide bomber. Herrera apparently died in the explosion, his sister Jeri Herrera said.

Funeral arrangements are pending the arrival of Herrera's body back in the United States.

The longtime Utah resident leaves behind a wife, Traci, and two daughters at his home in Lacy, Wash., near Olympus and Fort Lewis, where he was stationed. He also leaves behind two sons in Utah and a brother and sister.

He was preceded in death this past January by his father, Henry Herrera. His mother, Elaine, still lives in Herrera's childhood home in Salt Lake City.

"It's devastating," Elaine said about losing her husband and son in the same year.

A large family, she added, which includes Herrera's 12 brothers and sisters, is helping her cope with this difficult time in her life.