KNOX — An Indiana National Guard soldier who grew up in Knox was killed in Iraq. Spc. Joseph Andrew Ford, 23, died Friday in a rollover accident during a training exercise near Al Asad.

Ford was a gunner with the 152nd Calvary, part of the 76th Infantry. He was deployed in March.

His father says he was stationed in the turret, on top of the vehicle, when the accident happened.

His family was notified Saturday, but his former teachers at Knox High School just found out Monday afternoon. They say the initial shock hasn't worn off.

Outside Ford's childhood home in Knox, everything appeared normal, but his father was dealing with a huge loss.

"I cleaned something out of the truck a while ago. I found some stuff of his. I've got to do something to keep my mind off it," said Samuel Ford, Joe's father.

Down the street, Ford's high school teachers were trying to wrap their heads around his death.

"It's very sad to know one of your students, one of the bright people in the class is gone," said Terrill Hahn, Ford's senior English teacher.

"It's hard to lose a student, anyone, and especially to me, he's a young kid," said Peggy Shidaker, Ford's French teacher.

To her, he'll always be Joey.

"He loved to laugh. That's what I remember about Joey. He'd say something and the whole class would crack up," she said.

He was a member of the fencing club and loved history.

"He was a very curious young man," said Hahn.

"He questioned. He questioned so much in the classroom," said Shidaker.

So, Shidaker was surprised where he found his calling.

"I remember he came back, and he'd lost a lot of weight. And I asked him, 'What are you doing to lose all of that weight?' and he said, 'I've been running because I'm going to the National Guard,'" she said.

Now, she says the history buff has made his own mark.

"I have a little more peace because I know Joey was where he wanted to be," said Shidaker.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. It could take 10 days for Ford's body to return to the United States.

Ford had planned on returning in June to celebrate his first wedding anniversary.