TAMPA, Fla. –
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Army Recruiting Battalion Tampa was killed in a motorcycle accident in Winter Park, Florida, Feb. 22.
Staff Sgt. Abraham Hammond, 27, served as a member of the Altamonte Springs Recruiting Station. He was a noncommissioned officer and active-duty Soldier since 2012.
Hammond is a Florida native who grew up Brooksville and graduated from Pasco High School in the class of 2012. He earned an associate's degree in intelligence operations studies from Cochise College and was working on his bachelor's degree.
"Losing a Soldier never sits well with anyone in a leadership position; the tragic loss of Staff. Sgt. Abe Hammond is no different," said Lt. Col. Michael D. Norton, Tampa Battalion commander.
Hammond joined the Army after graduating from high school and attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He served tours of duty at Fort Carson, Colorado; South Korea; and Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington; and deployed for the Global War on Terrorism to Iraq.
According to his fellow Soldiers, Hammond was a relentlessly committed team member.
“He challenged me to be a better runner, 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and just being a better person, leader, and friend,” said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Houston, Altamonte Springs Recruiting Station commander.
He leaves behind a loving wife, an unborn daughter, and a 6-year-old son.
"I had the privilege of speaking with Dorothy and was impressed by her courage and strength,” Norton said. “We often preach about our Army family. The Hammond family is part of that and will always be welcomed in the Gator Battalion. My family and I will continue to pray for Dorothy, their son Gabriel, and soon-to-be daughter Nora.”