Decorated Iraq Veteran dies in standoff after sheriff's deputies

One more case of not enough being done fast enough to save their lives.

Suicide victim in standoff was vet, soldier at Carson
January 20, 2009 - 8:16 PM
TOM ROEDER and CARLYN RAY MITCHELL
THE GAZETTE
The man who shot himself to death during a standoff with El Paso County sheriff's deputies early Saturday was identified Tuesday as Army Spc. Larry Applegate, 27, a decorated Iraq war veteran stationed at Fort Carson.

Deputies responded to a domestic violence call at Applegate's home, 6830 Harding Drive, late Friday and found Applegate's wife outside saying her husband was in the house firing rifles.

The gunfire continued for the better part of an hour and when it ended, the SWAT team found Applegate dead inside.

Applegate, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., was a twice-deployed Iraq war veteran awarded the Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal with Valor.

He joined the Army in 2004.

The suicide left Fort Carson officials grieving and looking for answers, the post's commander, Maj. Gen. Mark Graham said Tuesday night.

Graham, who lost a son to suicide has been a leading proponent of Army suicide-prevention efforts and is hosting a pilot program for prevention training at the post this week.

"We have to let them know that it's a sign of strength not weakness to come forward and seek help," he said.

The soldier was in the post's Warrior Transition Unit, which is designed to assist soldiers with war-related medical or mental health problems.

"He was a good, young soldier," Graham said. "Just a good young soldier. It's tragic. We're all taking it hard." click link for more