John Michael Sullivan reported killed by I.E.D.

A family from Hixson, Tennessee is mourning the loss of their only son. Sergeant John Michael Sullivan of the Army's 2nd Infantry division died when his humvee was struck by a roadside bomb on Saturday. He died instantly.

The 2003 Soddy Daisy High School graduate was just days away from returning home from his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was scheduled to arrive on January 10th to see his son, who was born just hours after he died. His family tells us Sullivan volunteered for the patrol that claimed his life when a fellow-soldier got sick.

John Michael's mother, Debbie Sullivan, describes her son as a good man who had a heart of gold. She says for John Michael, family always came first. Debbie says during her son's first tour in Iraq, he was hurt when a roadside bomb hit his truck.

He earned the Purple Heart, but refused the honor because the ceremony would have kept him in Iraq, and he wanted to be with his family in Tennessee.

Sergeant Sullivan will be buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

From WTVC 9