Courtesy Sgt. Justin J. Duffy

A Nebraska soldier with the 82nd Airborne Division was killed and four others injured Tuesday in Iraq after a road-side bomb exploded near their Humvee, authorities said.

FREE Mobile Banking NOW AVAILABLE!

Sgt. Justin J. Duffy, 31, of Cozad, Neb., died from injuries received from the blast.

Four other soldiers — Lt. Col. Michael Shinners, Spc. Ryan Higgins, Pfc. Adam Rosenbaum and Pfc. Alan Davidson — were injured but are currently in stable condition. The soldiers were on patrol in Baghdad at the time of the explosion. They are each members of the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT of the 82nd Airborne Division.

A memorial service for Duffy is scheduled Sunday in Iraq.

Duffy's family plans a funeral service in Moline, Ill., where he was born, and then a memorial service in Cozad next week.

Duffy is the 44th Nebraskan to die in Iraq.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Duffy joined the Army in June 2007 and became a truck commander with the 82nd Airborne Division in July 2008.

“Sgt. Justin Duffy was an exceptional NCO and a leader of the highest caliber. He served as an Infantryman with distinction and honor in combat, sacrificing his life for our nation,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Rector, commander, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division. “Our condolences go out to his family and friends as we all mourn his loss.”

The youngest of three children, Duffy is survived by his parents, Joseph M. and Janet L. Duffy, of Cozad, Neb., and two sisters.

His parents remembered him as the model son.

“We knew from when Justin was a little boy that he would succeed. His desire to serve his country and be a paratrooper is what made him exemplary,” Joseph and Janet Duffy said in a statement. “We supported him and prayed for him every day. Words cannot express how proud we are of him, and he will always be our hero.”

Duffy's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.