Audrey Campbell of Chiefland says it was her daughter-in-law who called last Monday, with devastating news.

"When i got on the phone, she said to me, he's gone...and I said who's gone, and then she said to me, Karl got killed, and all I said was, not my son," said Campbell.

On Monday, 34-year-old Sgt. Karl Campbell was killed while on foot patrol in Babur, Afghanistan, after insurgents attacked his unit with an explosive device.

"He was in the lead, so he got the blunt of the explosion, but there were two other soldiers that were seriously wounded, but Karl was the only one that was killed," said Campbell.

Karl enlisted in the army in 1995 and served as an infantryman until 2003. During that time, he became an Airborne Ranger, and a father.

"He was a great dad, he loved his kids," said Campbell.

After a six-year break from the military, Karl re-enlisted last November, joining the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

On June 15, Karl was deployed to Afghanistan.

"The day he was deployed, he told my daughter in law... that he would come home to her," said Campbell.

With just two months until he'd be back home for some R&R, Karl returned home, and Campbell says, on Thursday, just as when he left, her son's wife and children were there to receive him.

"She stood and saluted his casket as they took it from the plane to the van, and after they had it in the van she leaned over and said to me, 'mom, he's home, my hero is home.'"

Sgt. Karl Campbell will receive the Bronze Star and Purple Heart as well as the Army Commendation Medal. The memorial service will be this Saturday, at 1:00 P.M., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Chiefland.