SUMTER, S.C. — The U.S. Army said a senior officer stationed at their base near Sumter died while exercising.
Military officials announced Tuesday that Lt. Col. Roderick Vinson, 55, died on Sunday, August 11 in Sumter. The coroner's office said the death happened in a neighborhood in the city.
Vinson was stationed at U.S. Army Central, which is the Army base located on the same property as Shaw Air Force Base. He was originally from Charlotte and had been in Army since he enlisted in 1987. The Army said he was first a fighting vehicle infantryman, then was commissioned as a transportation officer in 1999. He'd been at U.S. Army Central since 2018.
"The ARCENT Family is devastated by the untimely passing of Lt. Col. Roderick Vinson, a beloved member of our team and an incredible leader in the organization,” said Col. Jason Squitier, the U.S. Army Central Deputy Chief of Staff. “He left an enormously positive impact on every person with whom he interacted, and we miss him dearly. We send our condolences to his family and friends, and our prayers are with them during this difficult time."
The Army said Vinson received numerous awards and decorations including the Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M-device, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.
The Sumter Police Department and the Sumter County Coroner's Office are also investigating the death, but the Army said no foul play is suspected. The coroner's office said an autopsy was scheduled for Thursday.