A sailor assigned to the Naval Base Kitsap Security Detachment was killed in Afghanistan last week. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Edward Brazas, 26, of Greensboro, N.C., had been in the theater for less than one month.

Brazas died May 30 while conducting combat operations in Panjwa’l, Afghanistan. Reports indicate that Brazas, who was a K9 handler, was killed by a sniper while helping a fellow serviceman into a helicopter. Brazas’s working dog and partner, Sicario, was not injured in the attack, but was reportedly treated for heat exhaustion that day. Brazas had only just arrived in Afghanistan May 1.

“I want to thank everyone for their support and we ask that our family privacy be respected,” said Brazas’ wife, Allie. “My husband died serving his country. He loved his job. We will all miss him and we will never forget him. He is my hero.”

Brazas’ Facebook page includes one of his favorite quotations from American icon Will Rogers: “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”

U.S. Navy veteran Nevada Burchardt was once stationed with Brazas and the two enjoyed beers and conversations about K9 issues.

“Sean was one of the funniest men I have ever met, the master of the one-liners and the man who always had a smile on his face,” Burchardt said. “He is a hero and will always be remembered as the hero who always had a smile.”

Capt. Pete Dawson, Naval Base Kitsap commanding officer, said, “Sorrow fills our hearts at this sad moment. The news of the untimely death of Petty Officer Sean Brazas has resounded through the entire Naval Base Kitsap command. My sincerest sympathies go forward to the entire Brazas family and friends. It is difficult indeed to find words to express our regret at the death of this splendid young man.”

Brazas’ father told the Greensboro News and Record that his son will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with his grandfather, a World War II veteran. In addition to his wife, Allie, Brazas is survived by a 13-month-old daughter.