Guard soldier dies in non-combat incident in Iraq

Guard soldier dies in non-combat incident in Iraq

1st Lt. David A. Bauders died May 6, 2016 in a non-combat incident while serving with the Washington National Guard's 176th Engineer Company in Iraq.

Bauders, a Washington State Patrol trooper, deployed with the Army National Guard for a one year deployment in February 2016.

"The loss of a Soldier is tremendously hard on this organization but more so for David's family, friends and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time," Maj. Gen. Bret Daugherty, the adjutant general, Washington National Guard said. "David sacrificed his time and efforts to better our state and nation and for that, we are extremely grateful. That's how we will remember him- a selfless Soldier willing to put others first."

Trooper Bauders was born in Watertown, NY and graduated from high school in Forest Grove, Oregon. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology from the University of Portland.

For more from the State Patrol on Bauders, visit here.

For a statement from Gov. Jay Inslee, visit here.