COLUMBIA, S.C. — Army Investigators are looking into the death of a drill sergeant found dead at Fort Jackson on Friday. Meanwhile, those who knew the officer continue to say how he affect their lives.
The U.S. Army announced Saturday evening that 34-year-old Staff Sgt. Allen M. Burtram with the Second Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, was found dead the day before.
The Army said Burtram was discovered by unit members when he failed to report for work. Fort Jackson's emergency medical services pronounced him dead at the scene, though no information about the cause or manner of death has been released publicly.
News19 reached out for additional information Monday but they were unable to provide any.
Nick Martenelli-Reiter served with Burtram for three years. The two were at Fort Hood in Texas together, as well as Kuwait.
"He changed me in a good way. He molded me into the person I feel like I became today," said Martenelli-Reiter. "There was never a time where he wasn't there for just anybody. I mean, he was the guy that anyone could go to and talk to."
Reiter said Burtram was a loving father, husband, and man who cared about his country.
Burtram was originally from Cleveland, Alabama, and came from a family with two sisters, and more than a dozen aunts and uncles.
"He was always just trying to be there for his soldiers. And make a difference in their lives. And I think that that's what his goal is to make soldiers into good soldiers," said Reiter.
Army officials said Fort Jackson personnel are providing support to Burtram's family and teammates.
"Our hearts are with the family of Staff Sgt. Burtram during this extremely difficult time," Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, Fort Jackson's commanding general, said in a statement. "We are deeply saddened at the loss of one of our own."
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the death.