The body of Mulberry High School graduate and Army Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Ferguson, 39, one of three killed in the recent Fort Hood shooting rampage, is expected to arrive home to the bay area Friday, according to a member of the Florida Patriot Guard Riders.
Thomas “T-Man” Brown, Florida Patriot Guard Riders assistant state captain, told Tampa Tribune reporter Howard Altman that "the riders will escort Ferguson’s remains from Tampa International Airport, where there will be a private service at 6:50 p.m., to the Lakeland Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens.
There will be a private funeral Saturday morning at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Lakeland, said Brown. The riders will then escort Ferguson to his final resting place at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell later that day, Brown said. “All bikers are welcome to ride in the procession to show our support for this hero,” Brown said in an email to riders.
A second shooting victim, Army Sgt. Carlos A. Lazaney Rodriguez, 38, reportedly has relatives in Tampa but Lazaney was originally from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. He was close to completing 20 years of service and reportedly was preparing to retire and start a second career.
Ferguson enlisted in July 1993 as a transportation management coordinator. He was assigned to the 49th Transportation Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command, as a transportation supervisor. He had deployed to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lazaney Rodriguez enlisted in February 1995 as a unit supply specialist. He was assigned to the 21st Combat Support Hospital, 1st Medical Brigade, as a unit supply sergeant. He had deployed to Kuwait and Iraq.
The third shooting victim killed was Army Sgt. Timothy Wayne Owens, 37, from Effingham, Ill., who enlisted in July 2004 as a motor transport operator. He was assigned to the 49th Transportation Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command, as a heavy vehicle driver. He had deployed to Iraq and Kuwait.
Fort Hood is planning a memorial service April 9 in memory of all the victims.
