Sergeant Brandon Wallace of Festus, Mo., graduated from Crystal City High School and then attended the St. Charles Police Academy. As a young boy growing up on 10th Street in Crystal City, "Bud" spent hours playing with his GI Joe's, dressing up as a cowboy and pretending to be a cop. After he graduated from Crystal City High School in 1998, he enlisted in the Army, serving his three-year active duty contract in Germany and Kosovo. He then went on to a Bible school but didn't finish. Instead, he entered the police academy in St. Charles so he could become a Crystal City police officer. Just before his December 2005 graduation, the Individual Ready Reserve called him back to duty, and in January 2006, he reported to Fort Benning, Ga. His dream was to return and be a police officer in his hometown. He was supposed to return home in about two months. Sgt. Wallace leaves to cherish his memory, his parents and two sisters. He also leaves behind his fiancée. His family has channeled their grief into "No Tears," a song inspired by his death, that they now hope will inspire other military families. He was 27. Staff Sgt. Brandon L. Wallace, 27, of Festus died April 14, 2007, in Fallujah, Iraq, while on active duty with the U.S. Army. Sgt. Wallace was a 1998 graduate of Crystal City High School, and was an accomplished musician, chef and photographer. He has been awarded the Purple Heart. Born Feb 26, 1980, in Bridgeton, MO, he was the son of Rickey L. Wallace and Robin (Phillips) Wallace. In addition to his parents he is survived by his fiancee, SPC Dawn Urbina; two sisters; Rachel (David) Tucker and Sarah Beth Wallace; five grandparents: Robert and Patti Baremore, Eva Phillips, Charles and Cecil Clay and Phyllis Phillips. Funeral services were held Tues, April 24, 2007 at Living Faith Church in Festus. Burial with full military honors was in the National Cemetery in Jefferson Barracks. Arrangements were under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel in Festus.

Army
1451st Transportation Company
13th Support Command
Iraq