Steven J. Christofferson

Friday, April 25 2008 @ 10:45 PM EDT

Today's TMJ4 -- CUDAHY - A local soldier, killed in Iraq: he gave the ultimate sacrifice, and now family and friends are remembering the remarkable young man from Cudahy.

Private 1st Class Steven Christofferson graduated from Cudahy High School just two years ago.

The young soldier's death reached students in a school wide announcement Tuesday morning. Many of them knew Steven Christofferson.

TODAY’S TMJ4’s Tom Murray talked with Steven’s younger brother who is still a student at Cudahy High School.

“He felt like he had to do something, go help people,” Dakota Christofferson said.

Dakota Christofferson wanted no special attention; he asked us not to show his face, but he talked about the conversation he had with his older brother Steven hours before an IED claimed the 20-year-old soldier's life.

“He hung up the phone before I had a chance to say I loved him,” Dakota said.

Steve was a three sport standout at Cudahy High School. He wrestled, ran track and played football, and many remember when he signed up for the army.

"I distinctly remember the day he signed the paperwork, coming into school. He was very excited,” Cudahy High School Principal Chris Haeger said.

Principal Haeger recalls just about everyone knew Steve Christofferson: always outgoing and direct.

“He would always speak his mind. He would look you straight in the eye. He had no problem telling me what he was thinking and I respect him for that,” Haeger said.

Steven's brother says they had big plans for the future. The two dreamed about opening an auto repair shop together.

“He just really liked cars. He wanted me and him to build up a car from scratch,” Dakota said.

There were grief counselors on hand at the school Tuesday. The principal says a lot of students rushed to the office for support after learning about Steven’s death.

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