Sawatzke said she didn’t mean to be rude, but she worked last night and worked later that day and asked her company if they would mind going home? The company said they would stay with her and she could sleep while the company would watch TV. No, Sawatzke said. I’ll feel like I have to entertain you. The next day, on Nov. 16, four years later on the same date and month, Sawatzke had shot herself in the heart, the same as Gavic. She’d even used the same 9mm handgun. Her sister Rita had found her and tried to do CPR, but it was too late to save her. Sawatzke apparently had been planning her death for a long time. She’d recovered Gavic’s belongings, including his personal weapon, from the sheriff’s office in Utah. The papers Larsen had seen on the table were her own obituary and instructions for her funeral. Sawatzke and Gavic are buried side by side
Spc. Brandon K. Steffey
October 25, 2009 – Laghman Province, Afghanistan – Age 23
Brandon K. Steffey of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and his K9 Maci, died in Laghman province, Afghanistan, while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. Steffey, age 23, died October 25, 2009, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade, 111 Corps, Fort Hood, Texas. Spc. Steffey was serving his second tour of duty, having first served in Iraq. He became a dog handler during his tour in Afghanistan. Steffey was a canine tracker handler for Forward Operating Base Fenty Kennel in the Laghman Province of Afghanistan. His dog Maci was trained to find militants who build, place and detonate IEDs. His wife, Andrea, and 18 month-old daughter Abigail survive him. Steffey’s decorations and awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal- Campaign Star, and Global War on Terrorism Service. Funeral services were held November 4, 2009 with full military honors.
Brandon K. Steffey of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and his K9 Maci, died in Laghman province, Afghanistan, while on active duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. Steffey, age 23, died October 25, 2009, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade, 111 Corps, Fort Hood, Texas. Spc. Steffey was serving his second tour of duty, having first served in Iraq. He became a dog handler during his tour in Afghanistan. Steffey was a canine tracker handler for Forward Operating Base Fenty Kennel in the Laghman Province of Afghanistan. His dog Maci was trained to find militants who build, place and detonate IEDs. His wife, Andrea, and 18 month-old daughter Abigail survive him. Steffey’s decorations and awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal- Campaign Star, and Global War on Terrorism Service. Funeral services were held November 4, 2009 with full military honors.
