Staff Sgt. Robin L. Towns Sr., was serving his ninth day in Iraq when a bomb exploded under his Humvee and ended his life.

Towns, a 52-year-old father of six from Upper Marlboro, was killed Wednesday while on patrol in Bayji, an oil-town in northern Iraq about 130 miles north of Baghdad.

Towns and about 130 members of the D.C. National Guard's 275th Military Police Company landed in country a little more than a week earlier. Towns was the second member of the D.C. National Guard killed in Iraq. D.C. National Guard spokeswoman 1st Lt. Loneshia Reed was in shock Friday after learning of Towns' death. Towns was her squad leader.

"He was wonderful man, a wonderful leader, and a wonderful friend," Reed said.

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Towns had been with the D.C. National Guard since April 2006, after transferring from the Maryland National Guard. He has nearly 20 years of military service.

Towns was born in Portstown, Va. After graduating from Manor High School in 1973, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a platoon sergeant. He received an honorable discharge in 1989.He worked as a correctional officer with the Prince George's County government. He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Sheila, and six adult children.