Edwards bids farewell to wingman, police officer, friend Published Sept. 22, 2010 By Stephen K. Robinson 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Brian M. Carragher was remembered at a memorial service Sept. 22 for his easy smile, quick wit and infectious laugh, and as one who personified the Airman's ethos and served his country honorably at home and abroad. The base theater, where the service was held, was nearly filled to capacity with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and law enforcement officers from many miles away. Sergeant Carragher was a military working dog handler assigned to the 95th Security Forces Squadron who was shot Sept. 18 near his home in California City. He was medevaced to Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster where he was pronounced dead. "We are shocked and deeply saddened by Brian's passing," said Col. Gregory E. Schwab, 95th Air Base Wing commander. "He personified the Airman's ethos and served his country proudly and humbly, both stateside and overseas." Sergeant Carragher was a military working dog handler and trainer at the more than 308,000-acre Edwards AFB where he provided critical explosive and drug detection duties. "Brian will be sorely missed, and we are going to do all we can to support his family during this difficult time," Colonel Schwab said. The seven-year veteran entered the Air Force in May 2003 and completed basic training and the security forces technical training course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. An attendee who wished to remain unidentified, said, "I went to dog handling school at Lackland with Brian, and while he was a fun-loving guy and enjoyed what he did, he always loved his family above all. Jackie and his daughters were who he lived life for." Sergeant Carragher was a multi-deployment Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran where he served on patrol with his military working dog, Eddy. "Because of his age, Eddy was to soon be retired, and Sergeant Carragher was going to adopt him as he was Sergeant Carragher's first-deployment dog," said Army veterinarian, Capt. Andrea M. Winkel. Sergeant Carragher was an elite gate guard, installation entry controller, response force leader and weapon's storage area supervisor. He provided police services, weapons systems security and base defense for nuclear and non-nuclear munitions storage areas. He managed post assignments, temporary deployments, critical certifications and proper utilization of personnel and weapons during times of peace, contingencies and war. He was also responsible for supervising and providing guidance in matters of leadership, military justice, customs and courtesies and career progression. During his remarks, colleague and fellow military police officer, Senior Airman Scott Whritenour said, "Brian was an easygoing, unpretentious person, who treated everyone fairly. He was known for his jovial and sunny disposition, his easy smile, an infectious laugh, quick wit and an unaffected sense of humor." Sergeant Carragher also served at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. An immediate relative of Sergeant Carragher's said, "Brian was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him." Sergeant Carragher was born Jan. 22, 1981 in Fullerton, Calif., to Michael and Rebecca Carragher. He attended school in San Bernardino County, Calif., where he graduated from Silverado High School in Victorville in 1999. A public viewing is scheduled for Sept. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Halley-Olsen-Murphy Funeral Home at 44802 N. Date Ave., Lancaster, with internment to be at 1 p.m. Sept. 25 at Victor Valley Memorial Park at 15609 11th Street, Victorville, Calif. He is survived by his wife of five years, Jackie, and twin four-year-old daughters Maddison and Hayley, his parents, his brother Jason and Sister Danielle. Sergeant Carragher's death is under investigation by the California City Police Department and the Air Force Office of Special Investigation.