A 19 year-old Ranum High School graduate has become the 28th service member from Colorado to die in the Iraq War.

Private First Class Jeremy Tamburello suffered severe burns over half of his body when a roadside bomb exploded near the supply truck he was driving Monday, family members told 9News. The location of the attack was not immediately known.

Tamburello's parents say they didn't want him to enlist, but it was his passion for helping people that led him to the military.

"He was a very noble, very compassionate, very brave man.and he died a very horrible death," said Kevin Tamburello, Jeremy's father.

"He knew that he was going to have to go to Iraq and he knew that he might die.but he went anyway."

Tamburello had been in Iraq for three months when he was killed. The last time he spoke with his parents was on Halloween when he called to say he'd just received a letter they'd sent.

Tamburello was a 2004 graduate of Ranum High School in Adams County. High school employees told 9News Jeremy was an office assistant at the school last year. One secretary remembered him as a shy boy who had a great sense of humor.

Lance Cpl Tamburello was awarded the Purple Heart

A 19 year-old Ranum High School graduate has become the 28th service member from Colorado to die in the Iraq War.

Private First Class Jeremy Tamburello suffered severe burns over half of his body when a roadside bomb exploded near the supply truck he was driving Monday, family members told 9News. The location of the attack was not immediately known.

Tamburello's parents say they didn't want him to enlist, but it was his passion for helping people that led him to the military.

"He was a very noble, very compassionate, very brave man.and he died a very horrible death," said Kevin Tamburello, Jeremy's father.

"He knew that he was going to have to go to Iraq and he knew that he might die.but he went anyway."

Tamburello had been in Iraq for three months when he was killed. The last time he spoke with his parents was on Halloween when he called to say he'd just received a letter they'd sent.

Tamburello was a 2004 graduate of Ranum High School in Adams County. High school employees told 9News Jeremy was an office assistant at the school last year. One secretary remembered him as a shy boy who had a great sense of humor.

Lance Cpl Tamburello was awarded the Purple Heart