The family of a Maine reservist killed in Iraq hopes to get answers about how he died before his memorial service Tuesday in Pennsylvania.

Army 1st Sgt. Christopher Coffin, 51, of Kennebunk, was a member of Maryland-based 352nd Civil Affairs Command assisting convoys traveling between Baghdad and Kuwait when he died Tuesday.

The Army initially told Coffin’s wife that he died when his vehicle ran into a ditch outside Baghdad. But the Army also reported that a member of the same unit died when a convoy was ambushed.

For the family, the distinction is important. Sister-in-law Candy Barr Heimbach said they need to know for sure what happened.

“He gave his life for his country,” Heimbach said from Bethlehem, Pa. “He was a hero. All we ask for is he gets his due.”

The Army has promised Maine’s congressional delegation that there will be a full investigation. Staff members from Sen. Susan Collins’ office say the Army congressional liaison admits there are conflicting reports.

Coffin’s memorial service will be held Tuesday in Bethlehem on what would have been his 52nd birthday.

Coffin, who was assisting in rebuilding efforts and was not supposed to be involved in combat, was the first civil affairs reservist killed in a combat zone since Vietnam, according to the Portland (Maine) Press Herald.

Coffin grew up in Somerville, N.J., and enlisted in the Army in 1971. Three years later he joined the reserves in Pennsylvania, where he met his wife, Betsy. They moved to Maine 15 years ago.

In Maine, Coffin was a reserve police officer. He also worked as a civilian police officer at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

AP-ES-07-04-03 1230EDT

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