Family Remembers Spc. Pinnick

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ill. (WTHI) - The death of a Wabash Valley soldier in Afghanistan this week leaves a community and a family mourning.

Army Specialist Trevor Pinnick was killed while taking part in Operation Enduring Freedom.

The 20-year-old Pinnick was a native of Lawrenceville Illinois.

He leaves a large extended family that is still trying to make sense of their loss.

The flag outside of Lawrenceville High School is at half staff.

Army Specialist Trevor Pinnick graduated from there just 2 years ago.

Family members recall Pinnick as young man with a warm and light heart.

"He was a jokester," said cousin Pam Brunson. "He always had you laughing and playing practical jokes on you."

"You'd never imagine that something like that would happen to Trevor," added another cousin Mitzie Malott. "He was just so full of life. You never thought that would be over."

Specialist Pinnick's life did end in Afghanistan, and now the family is leaning on each other to deal with it.

"I felt sick to my stomach and was just in shock, and I still can't believe it," said Malott.

"It's been a nightmare, absolutely a nightmare," explained Brunson.

Family members say Pinnick was recently promoted to Specialist.

He had talked about making a career in the Army and he accepted the risk of being in the battle zones of Afghanistan.

"He volunteered to go to Afghanistan," said Brunson. "He said it was what he signed up for and what he was going to do."

While the community mourns the loss of a soldier, the family knows there was much more to Trevor Pinnick.

"Trevor was a good kid, and he was a loving brother, father, son and he was committed to the military and very proud to serve our country," said Brunson.

"A wonderful soldier is what we all lost, a brave man," said Malott.

A brave young man who is being honored and remembered at home for his sacrifice made half a world away.

Specialist Pinnick has been returned to Dover Air Base.