Capt. Shane R.M. Mahaffee, a former Alexandria resident and 1987 graduate of Mount Vernon High School died May 15 at Landsthul Regional Medical Center, Landsthul, Germany, from wounds suffered in Iraq on May 5, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Mahaffee, a civil affairs officer assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve’s 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, Knoxville, Tenn., was with a team of three other soldiers when an improvised explosive devise detonated near their HUMMWV near Al Hillah, Iraq, 60 miles from Baghdad.
A self-employed lawyer, Mahaffee, 36, lived with his wife Jennifer and their two children, Adelia and Ethan, in Gurnee, Ill. He is also survived by his mother, Hannelore, and adopted father, Skip Mahaffee, who reside on the 300 block of N. West St.; his father, Steve Martin; sister, Tiffany; and brother-in-law, the Hon. Justice Don Willet, of Austin, Texas.
On his first tour of duty in Iraq, Mahaffee and his team were attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. He began his military career as an ROTC cadet at Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law, Harrisburg, Penn., in 1994.
In a statement issued by the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Command, Mahaffee’s parents said, “Our family would like to thank all of Shane’s friends, colleagues and the staff of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for their support to our family at this trying time.
“Shane was our hero, and he loved the Army. He put his soldiers ahead of himself. He was a natural born leader. We are very proud of both his military career and personal accomplishments as a private practicing attorney.”
Donations can be made to the family benefit fund, AMCORE Bank, 1790 Nation’s Drive, Suite 105, Gurnee, Ill., 60031, Acct# 9801-7036-19.