By Rick HowlettOfficials say a 33 year old Army soldier from LaGrange has been killed in a non-combat related incident in Afghanistan. Funeral arrangements are pending for Sgt. 1st Class Kristopher D. Chapleau, who died June 30. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.Here's a press release from the office of Gov. Steve Beshear.FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 6, 2010) – Gov. Steve Beshear today recognized the sacrifice of a native Kentuckian and Fort Campbell soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.According to the Department of Defense, Sgt. 1st Class Kristopher D. Chapleau, 33, of LaGrange, Ky., died June 30 at Forward Operating Base Blessing, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.The governor will order that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Sgt. Chapleau’s interment for which arrangements are still pending.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.