From the U.S. Department of Defense:
Sgt. Joseph A. Richard III, 27, of Lafayette, La., died [Monday], April 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), located at Fort Polk, La.
A Fort Polk spokesperson said additional information will be released later today.
Our condolences to the Richard family; The Independent Weekly will post funeral arrangements when they are completed.