Phillip McNeill reported killed in Iraq

The family of an Ohio native says the soldier was killed Saturday in Iraq when an explosive struck his Humvee in Al Anbar province.

US Army Sergeant Phillip McNeill was deployed to Iraq in September for a second tour of duty after about three years in the military.

The 22-year-old had most recently been stationed in Wainwright, Alaska.

The US Department of Defense had not yet confirmed the death.

McNeill's mother and stepfather live in Clermont County in southwest Ohio.

His father lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

His mother says McNeill insisted that she include enough cookies or other goodies in care packages for everyone in his unit.

His stepfather went to the Clermont County Sheriff's Office to tell Sheriff Rodenberg about the sad news in person.

Sheriff Rodenberg said, "It's really overwhelming to me at times. I get very upset about it."

Rodenberg's own son, Nick, was in Iraq at the time Phillip McNeill was.

The parents talked about concerns for their sons and Rodenberg said Nick is wrestling with the news of Sgt. McNeill's death.

"He has issues with that, we've talked several times about why he came back and others haven't. It's perplexing, our boy is spared and other men and women aren't spared."

Sgt. McNeill died the same day 24 other members of the military lost their lives in Iraq.

Sheriff Rodenberg said the total number of lives touched is incredible.

"I just think of our son, anybody's son who dies. How many people would that death affect? Add brothers sisters aunts uncles classmates, neighbors, we're talking for every life lost hundreds are touched."

Sgt. McNeill's stepfather, Jeff Fiely, in addition to being a sheriff's deputy, is still in the military.

He returned from a mission in South Africa just today, and then got the news about his stepson.

From WCPO 9