Army investigating after drill sergeant found dead in vehicle
FORT JACKSON, S.C. (WOLO)– A Fort Jackson drill sergeant was found unresponsive on Saturday in his vehicle, said army officials.
Officials said, unit personnel found Staff Sgt. Zachary L. Melton, 30, who is a drill sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment dead on Saturday after he did not report to work.
The Directorate of Emergency Services were called to the scene and Emergency Medical Services personnel pronounced him deceased shortly after arriving to the scene.
“We are extremely saddened by the loss of Staff Sgt. Melton. Our thoughts are with his family and the soldiers of the Always Forward battalion during this very emotional time,” Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, Fort Jackson commanding general said.
Melton spent more than 10 years in the Army with the last three years as a drill sergeant on Fort Jackson.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division is investigating.
“As a Fort Jackson community, we are mourning the tragic loss of two of our drill sergeants within the past few weeks. While there are several ongoing investigations into the specifics of each of these deaths, we are taking very deliberate steps to ensure our resiliency resource offerings are adequate and responsive,” Gen. Jason E. Kelly said.
Melton is the second drill sergeant found dead at Fort Jackson in 10 days.
Staff Sgt. Allen M. Burtram, 34, was found dead on December 8.
