Las Cruces man killed in combat remembered as one of the best

LAS CRUCES - Support for a Las Cruces man killed in combat in Afghanistan this weekend has garnered national attention. 

A GoFundMe account established by Rodriguez' best friend Cody Hunn had surpassed its financial goal, with many friends and strangers who donated funds for funeral expenses leaving messages of support.

The GoFundMe, which had a goal of $25,000, was at more than $27,000 by Monday evening.

Rodriguez, 28, was born and raised in Las Cruces. He graduated from Mayfield High School in 2009.

On Saturday, Feb. 8, Rodriguez, who was serving in a special operation in the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan, in the Serzad district, when an Afghan national opened fired on his unit.

Javier Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, was also killed in the attack. 

A GoFundMe set up for Gutierrez was almost at its $50,000 goal.

More:Two special forces soldiers from New Mexico, Texas killed during attack in Afghanistan

Both soldiers were promoted posthumously to the rank of sergeant first class, and awarded the purple heart and bronze star metals, according to a news release.  

“Sgt. 1st Class Rodriguez was selfless and served honorably; he was certainly among the best in our unit,” said Col. John W. Sannes, 7th Special Forces Group Commander.

Rodriguez, born in 1991, enlisted in the Army in 2009. After completing the Basic Airborne Course and the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, he was assigned to the 3rd Ranger Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Did you know Antonio Rey Rodriguez? Email bfreudenthal@lcsun-news.com and share a favorite memory.

Rodriguez deployed eight times with the 75th Ranger Regiment and twice with 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, part of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

In addition to the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Rodriguez’s awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and NATO Medal. He also earned the Ranger tab and the Combat Infantry and Parachutist badges.

Rodriguez's GoFundMe page states that "Rod" was paramount in training new recruits and maintaining his team's readiness. He always put his men before himself, the page states. 

The GoFundMe notes that Rodriguez is survived by his wife Ronaleen Rodriguez, parents David Hernandez, Javier and Guadalupe Jaramillo and his brother Christopher. 

The Sun-News tried reaching out to Rodriguez's family on Monday, but they weren't ready to talk yet.

Multiple state and local officials expressed condolences to the Rodriguez family on Sunday.

Bethany Freudenthal can be reached at bfreudenthal@lcsun-news.com, 575-541-5449 or @bethanyfreuden1 on Twitter.