Mourning badge - 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr.

CAMP STRYKER, Iraq -- The 732d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 2 members put black tape across their badges as a sign of mourning and respect for 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr., who was killed in action when a roadside bomb detonated close to his vehicle Sept. 8 near Baghdad. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. Misty D. Slater)

"Top Cop" 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr.

CAMP STRYKER, Iraq -- This folded American flag had been pulled out of 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr.'s backpack, which he had with him on his last mission. "I don’t know how long he had been carrying that flag with him, but I would not be surprised if he carried it with him on all of his missions,” said Maj. Joe Engelbrecht, 732d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 2 commander. Lieutenant Helton perished when a roadside bomb detonated close to his vehicle near Baghdad Sept. 8. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Misty D. Slater)

"Top Cop"

CAMP STRYKER, Iraq -- Members from the 732d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Detachment 2 pay their respects during a memorial service for 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr. Sept.12. Lieutenant Helton was killed in action when a roadside bomb blasted close to his vehicle Sept. 8. He is the first security forces officer to have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Misty D. Slater)

"Top Cop" 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr.

CAMP STRYKER, Iraq -- Master Sgt. Kent Nelson, Sather Air Base Honor Guard bugler, plays Taps during a memorial ceremony for 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr., 732d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 2 flight commander. Lieutenant Helton was deployed from the 6th Security Forces Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. when he was killed by a roadside bomb that detonated close to his vehicle near Baghdad Sept. 8. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Misty D. Slater)

To honor a fallen Defender

CAMP STRYKER, Iraq -- The 732d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 2 members came out Sept. 12 to honor a fallen Defender, 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr., who perished when a roadside bomb detonated close to his vehicle near Baghdad Sept. 8. The Monroe, Ga., native is the first security forces officer to have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Misty D. Slater)

To honor a Fallen Defender

CAMP STRYKER, Iraq -- Numerous items were placed at the tribute during the Sept. 12 memorial ceremony for 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr., 732d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 2 flight commander, who perished when a roadside bomb detonated close to his vehicle near Baghdad Sept. 8. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Blair)

"Top Cop"

Published Sept. 13, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Misty D. Slater
447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

CAMP STRYKER, Iraq -- "Lieutenant Helton?"

Silence.

"Lieutenant Helton?"

Silence.

"First Lieutenant Joseph Dennis Helton Jr."

Silence.

Today was the final roll call for 1st Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr., 732d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 2 flight commander, who perished when a roadside bomb detonated close to his vehicle near Baghdad Sept. 8, making him the first security forces officer to have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He was 24 years old.

Lieutenant Helton received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy on May 30, 2007, instead of being a pilot he decided to be a "ground pounder" as some members in the Security Forces profession calls it.

In November 2008, he volunteered for an assignment to Iraq, went through pre-deployment training attached to Det 2, but deployed to the 732d ESFS Det 3 as a flight commander.

Last month, instead of going home upon completion of the Det 3 assignment, Lieutenant Helton volunteered to help lead Det 2 as a flight commander.

And on Sept. 12, the members of Det 2 honored his memory.

On the stage, in front of more than three hundred servicemembers, there was a folded American flag; it had been pulled out of Lieutenant Helton's backpack, which he had with him on his last mission.

"We know that people join the fight for different reasons. Some join for the sense of service, some to be a part of something special, and some for a pride in their nation. Joe joined the fight for all three,' said Maj. Joe Engelbrecht, 732d ESFS Det 2 commander.

He knew the Police Transition Team mission he volunteered for made him part of something special. He would be aiding in the development of the service that would be the key to the enforcement of the rule of law and security for the new Iraq. And finally, it is clear he loved his nation. I don't know how long he had been carrying that flag with him, but I would not be surprised if he carried it with him on all of his missions."

First Lieutenant Sullivan, 732d ESFS Det 2 flight commander, reflected back to when he was in technical school with Lieutenant Helton, where everyone presented classmates flight awards that were usually comical. However, the group came up with something different for Lieutenant Helton. The security forces career field is authorized only one General Officer billet, who is known as the "Top Cop".

"I can remember his face when we read 'Lt. Joseph D. Helton Jr., most likely to run our career field one day.' He waited for the punch-line, but there wasn't one. He'll never be a General in the Air Force... but for the rest of my life he will be "Top Cop"," said Lieutenant Sullivan.

"Joe was amazing and could kick out something in half the time as this knuckle-dragging Captain could. It just was a gift and it came easy for him," said Captain Richard J. Martin II, 732d ESFS Det 2 operations officer.

"A true leader, Joe always set the example and never wanted to fail at anything he did. He wanted to be the best," said Captain Martin.

"He had a contagious smile. He could lighten the mood of a room when it was most needed. But he was also the consummate professional. There wasn't a challenge in the world that he would refuse and when he took something on, he was always the best at what he did," said Lieutenant Sullivan.

Captain Martin best described, at times, his relationship with Lieutenant Helton with a quote for the movie The Lion King, it was when Mufaso was talking to his young and energetic son, Simba.

"A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king."

"Well Joe, it looks like the sun has set on your reign here as a leader. This was not the way it was supposed to end...so young and so early,' said Captain Martin.

But you can rest assured, as I speak for every young Airmen, Soldier, NCO, and Officer. We will pick up the torch you carried and continue on for you and hopefully we will do it with a passion and dedication that you taught us all, with your example.

Good bye my friend, good bye Joe."