Murdered Manhattan 2 Tour Iraq Veteran had Silver Star and 2 Purple Hearts

Vigil Planned for Murdered Manhattan Veteran
Friends of former Army medic Kevin Cockrum are gathering to pray that his killers are caught.
Posted: 12:22 PM Aug 14, 2011
Reporter: Lindsey Rogers

"Cockrum's family members tell 13 News he was a medic in the Army and completed two tours in Iraq. During each of his tours, he survived IED explosions and received two Purple Heart medals, a Silver Star and an Army Commendation Medal. He was last stationed at Fort Riley and decided to stay in the Manhattan area."

Manhattan, KAN. (WIBW) -- Friends of former Army medic Kevin Cockrum are gathering near the spot where the 31-year-old was brutally beaten to pray that his killers are caught.

A candle light vigil is planned for Sunday night in Manhattan's Aggieville district.

Around 2 a.m. Thursday, officers got a call about a person on the ground in an alley between Bluemont Avenue and Moro Street. That's about a block away from the main strip of bars and shops in Aggieville.

Police found Cockrum unconscious. He was transported to Mercy Health Center with life-threatening head injuries and was then airlifted to Via Christi Hospital in Wichita. Family members say Kevin's father flew in from out of state to be by his side.

Officials believe Cockrum was beaten by several people but do not know the circumstances surrounding the violent attack. 

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