By Jackson Holtz, Herald Writer
EVERETT -- Ever since Joseph M. Cerfus was a little boy, he wanted to serve his country.
At 17, Cerfus joined the Navy and completed two tours in Iraq.
Then, he joined the Army Reserve and in 2007 became a custody officer for the Snohomish County Department of Corrections.
On Monday, while participating as a reservist in military training in Alberta, Canada, Cerfus, 25, was killed in an exercise involving helicopters and heavy equipment.
"He had a big heart, cared about his friends. He was just an overall good kid," said his father, Michael Cerfus, 49, of Marysville. "I'm just really proud of him."
The accident occurred while a Chinook helicopter unit was training as part of the Maple Guardian Exercise, a joint training effort involving U.S. and Canadian forces.
Cerfus was fatally injured while working with a ground crew slinging an item to an airborne helicopter, said Pam Garrison, an Army Reserve spokeswoman. No one else was hurt. The accident is being investigated by U.S. and Canadian officials.
Cerfus was one of about 200 soldiers in A Company, 5-159 Aviation Regiment, based at Gray Army Airfield, Fort Lewis.
"Our hearts go out to the family. It's a big tragedy whenever you lose a soldier," Garrison said.
With so many soldiers facing combat in Iraq, deaths closer to home are more surprising, she said.
"It brings home how dangerous the job is for these guys and gals," she said.
At the Snohomish County Jail, where Cerfus worked, friends were still learning of the death on Wednesday, said Jim Harms, a corrections spokesman.
Corrections officers wore black bands over their badges in Cerfus' memory.
"This is a very emotional time for his colleagues and his co-workers," Harms said. "We have expressed our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and (his fiancee)."
Cerfus was engaged to another officer who worked at the jail. They were to be married in August, his father said.
Cerfus worked the graveyard shift and was well liked among the tight-knit overnight squad, said corrections Sgt. Mark Simonson.
"He's going to be sorely missed," he said.
Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon said he was saddened by the loss of a member of the county family. He expressed his gratitude to Cerfus for his dedication.
"Our heartfelt thanks for his service to our community and our country," Reardon said.
A resolution is expected to be passed by the Snohomish County Council on Monday in Cerfus' honor, Reardon said. The county plans to lower its flags to half-staff.
Family is planning a funeral service in the Phoenix area, where Cerfus grew up, and a local memorial service is likely, Harms said.
Cerfus moved to Marysville to be closer to his dad after his brother, Michael Ourso, died in a car accident in 2004.
Cerfus had many tattoos, including one his brother had designed before his death, his father said.
Known to friends as "Joey" or "Joe Joe," Cerfus was a sometimes goofy guy who loved to be outdoors, shoot target practice and go off-roading in four-wheel-drive pickup trucks, said Balta Rojas, 23, a close friend who considered Cerfus his brother.
Cerfus has just bought a Ford F-350 he loved, Rojas said.
"Every time he came around, he put a smile on people's faces," he said.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Susan and Mark Harr of Phoenix; his father and stepmother, Michael and Linda Cerfus of Marysville; sisters Sarah and Amanda of Phoenix and Kalyn of Marysville; a niece, Angelica, of Phoenix; close friends Balta and Katie Rojas and their daughter, Kaylin, of Marysville; and many others.
Cerfus also is survived by a little girl whom he helped care for, Rojas said.
"I couldn't ask for a better person in my life," Rojas said. "He'll be truly and dearly missed."
Rojas said Cerfus came back from Iraq without a scratch. His love of service drove him to re-enlist with the reserves.
"He loved the fact that he was able to keep us Americans free and he loved to fight for our rights," Rojas said.
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.
