David Hillman DynCorp Civ-Pol Contractor/Customs Agent killed by Suicide Bomber in Afghanistan

Buffalo News

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection worker who began his career in Buffalo and later moved up the ranks was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan earlier this week, Department of Homeland Security officials said today.

David Hillman, a Western New York native, was working as a border mentor and adviser in Afghanistan when the attack occurred at the Inland Customs Warehouse in Kandahar.

Three other retired Customs workers, Michael Lachowsky, Terry Sherrill, and Vernon Rinus, were injured in the attack.

US Says Custom Agent killed in Afghanistan

A U.S. customs employee and two British soldiers have died in insurgent attacks in southern Afghanistan where violence persists despite a winter lull in fighting across the nation.

A suicide bomber killed a retired U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer and wounded three other American customs workers Monday in Kandahar, which remains a hotbed of Taliban activity despite an influx of U.S. troops over the past year,

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement released late Tuesday in Washington that David Hillman, a retired customs officer who had worked for the U.S. government for 30 years, died in the blast at the Inland Customs Warehouse in Kandahar.

Afghan police said the suicide bomber detonated his explosives inside the city’s customs house compound during a visit by NATO forces.

Buffalo Man Killed Working in Afganistan

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – For the second time this week, western New York has lost a native son overseas. David Hillman, a civilian contractor, fell victim to a suicide bomber in Afghanistan.

The family is grieving, but wants the community to know about David Hillman’s devotion to his country, his loved ones, and friends.

David’s mom, Angeline Hillman, said, “He kept telling us, ‘Don’t worry, everything is safe.'”

David Hillman at age 60 had gone to Afghanistan to help teach the police there how to protect their border.

David’s father, “Bud” Hillman said, “He said he just wanted to go over and help.”

David had been situated in the southern province of Kandahar, which remains a hotbed of Taliban activity. A suicide bomber attacked the customs warehouse where David was working. His family believes the bomber was 12-years-old.

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