A Rochester, Indiana native was killed while serving in Iraq.

Details surrounding the death of Army Sgt. Nick Patterson are sketchy. Patterson’s father said he was informed of the death Monday night.

Patterson was a 2001 graduate of Rochester High School, where some on the staff remember him well.

“Nick is one of those guys who had such an outgoing personality, he had so much energy that you had to get to know him,” said Patterson’s former teacher Rob Malchow: “he didn’t allow you not to.”

Patterson was an active duty Army Sgt. In the 82nd Airborne Division assigned to Iraq.

“It doesn’t hit home until you hear Nick Patterson,” said Rochester High School Athletic Director Mark Miller.
“You just sit back and feel so helpless, you’re sad, helpless, tend to get angry about it, wonder why, but it’s just a shame.”

In high school, Patterson was active in sports. His jersey number was 10, on the basketball court and baseball diamond.

“When we heard about all this last night or this morning it was just a big jolt to the community,” said Brian Hooker, Patterson’s former baseball coach.

Just last year a 1979 graduate of Rochester High — Jeff McLochlin —was killed while serving in the National Guard in Afghanistan.