MercuryNews - TOPEKA, Kan. - A Marine sergeant from Hutchinson was killed Monday while conducting combat operations in Iraq, the Marines announced Wednesday.

Sgt. Christopher S. Perez, 30, was shot and killed while fighting insurgent forces in Ramadi in the western regions of Iraq, the Marines said. He was the third member of the military with ties to Kansas to die in Iraq since Sunday and the 19th Kansan to die since the start war.

Perez, who joined the Marines in January 1996 and joined his unit in January 2004, was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Perez worked in the division's training section before deploying, Camp Lejeune spokesman Lt. Barry Edwards said. Perez was the commander of the guard for the combat operations center and responsible for overseeing and supervising the Marines at the center, Edwards said.

Perez also implemented and organized training for the Marines in division headquarters, Edwards said.

Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., expressed his condolences to the Perez and Morton families, who live in his district.

"The loss of these two young Kansans serves as a reminder to us all that the war on terror continues and the sacrifices of our troops and their families must not be forgotten," Moran said in statement.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will lead a Memorial Day ceremony at the Statehouse in Topeka honoring all servicemen and women killed in combat during the nation's history.

"This is such an incredible loss to yet another Kansas family," Sebelius said. "My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and comrades of this courageous man who has given his life fighting for freedom."