Family, friends of Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad say goodbye to Edmond soldier

Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad, 26, of Edmond, died March 11 in Afghanistan when he was shot by an Afghan police officer who fired on a group of fellow officers and U.S. soldiers. The shooter also was killed in the attack, one of a series of insider attacks that have frustrated U.S. military efforts to train Afghan soldiers and police.

During Schad's funeral Thursday at LifeChurch in Edmond, his platoon leader told of the love and respect Schad earned as a squad leader.

Lt. David Swanson, of Yukon, said he hit it off with Schad when he was assigned to the platoon. They had an Oklahoma connection and much in common.

When Swanson introduced himself to Schad, Schad put Swanson's number in his cellphone but not his name. He erased the previous lieutenant's number and put Swanson's in its place under platoon leader, sending Swanson the message that officers come and go.

“He made it clear that I was a rookie lieutenant in his platoon,” Swanson said.

The two became friends, and Swanson eventually earned a permanent spot in Schad's cellphone. Swanson said the two planned to join the Army Rangers together and hoped to serve with each other again.

“Rex was an absolute rock star in his chosen profession,” Swanson said. “He was the best squad leader in the division.”