TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Fort Riley soldier who was left mostly paralyzed by a sniper’s bullet in Afghanistan has died of his wounds, less than five weeks after he arrived home in Topeka.
Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Topeka confirms the death Wednesday of Sergeant Jamie Jarboe, 27.
Jarboe was stationed at Fort Riley in 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in February 2011. He was on foot patrol there last April when a sniper’s bullet penetrated his spine, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.
The married father of two had more than 100 surgeries and was due for more after his February 17th return to a hero’s welcome in Topeka.
Jarboe was a native of Frankfort, Indiana. He was assigned to 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division.