The sheriff's office in Gordon County, Ga., is mourning the loss of one of its members killed in the line of duty -- but in Afghanistan, not Calhoun.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Defense and Georgia National Guard confirmed on Monday that 38-year-old 1st Sgt. John D. Blair, of Calhoun, was killed over the weekend when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle. He died in Mado Zayi in Afghanistan on June 20, according to a National Guard news release.

The first sergeant was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the Georgia National Guard's 121st Infantry out of Lawrenceville, the release stated.

National Guard spokesman Sgt. 1st Class Roy Henry confirmed that 1st Sgt. Blair had been a member of his home county's sheriff's department.

The devoted stepfather and grandfather had arrived at Camp Clark in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province a little more than a week ago, according to reports from the military newspaper Stars and Stripes. His unit was trained as an infantry outfit, but its current mission involves mentoring the 1st Brigade of the Afghan National Army's 203rd Corps, Stars and Stripes reported.

The first sergeant was killed during an ambush about six miles outside of his camp, according to Stars and Stripes.

"He went out with his boots on and his guns blazing," Sgt. Ryan Popejoy, of Roswell, Ga., said, according to the newspaper.

Sgt. Popejoy was the gunner in the vehicle behind 1st Sgt. Blair's and witnessed the fight, which he told Stars and Stripes went on for about 45 minutes.

Maj. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard, said 1st Sgt. Blair was a beloved leader and "with a 'Follow Me' spirit."

"He was a hero to the men he commanded and to the members of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team with whom he served," Maj. Gen. Nesbitt said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

Attempts to reach 1st Sgt. Blair's family and co-workers at the sheriff's department were unsuccessful Monday evening.