Ricky L. McGinnis dies from roadside bomb injuries

HAMILTON — A Hamilton native serving as a soldier in Iraq was killed Thursday when an explosive device detonated near his patrol.Army First Sergeant Rick McGinnis was killed by a homemade bomb while on patrol near Baghdad.

The 42-year-old McGinnis was based at Fort Hood, Texas, and had been in the Army for 23 years.

9News spoke with the fallen soldier's family in Hamilton.

As long as anyone can remember, Ricky McGinnis was a soldier.

To his family and friends and those who served with him, he was the best of everything the Army represented.

"I remember him always in an Army uniform. Every since I was born he was in the Army," said his niece, Nicole LeFevre.

That image inspired a lot of people in his hometown of Hamilton.

"He influenced a lot of people, especially my brother to join the military," LeFevre told 9News.

One of those who looked up to McGinnis was his 19-year-old nephew Joseph Issacs, Jr.

Joseph followed his uncle to the First Calvary. He followed him to Iraq, and he was following in his uncle's footsteps on Thursday.

"My brother was serving with him in the same unit -- heard a call come over the radio -- our family is devastated," said LeFevre.'

The Department of Defense says McGinnis was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol near Baghdad.

He leaves behind a wife and four daughters in Ft. Hood, Texas where he was based.

LeFevre says her uncle loved all four of his girls. "He was a great Dad," she said.

His niece Nicole and sister Rhonda Issacs are here in the Tri-state, wondering about two soldiers -- an uncle and hero -- and a nephew following in his footsteps.

"He was my brother's hero," LeFevre said. "That's why my brother went to the military."

Tonight this family simply remembers a hero.

"You imagine the most macho guy, that was him," said LeFevre. "He was a great dad. He was a great figure to look up to."

McGinnis is survived by his wife of nearly 21 years and his four daughters.

McGinnis was also a 1983 graduate of Hamilton High School.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

From WCPO 9