Soldier collapses, dies after Fort Bragg run

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A Fort Bragg soldier from Florida who collapsed after completing a morning run Thursday has died of a heart attack, base officials said.

Fort Bragg officials said Friday that Sgt. First Class Tarmall F. Rossin, 37, was rushed to the Womack Army Medical Center emergency room, where he was pronounced dead at 8:06 a.m. Officials said soldiers at the scene when Rossin collapsed could not find a pulse, so they administered CPR and called 911.

Rossin, born and raised in Lake City, Fla., was assigned to the 82nd Special Troops Battalion. He enlisted in 1990 and joined the 82nd in June 2006. He lived in Spring Lake with his wife and two children.

Rossin was the unit's operations sergeant. His last deployment was August 2006 to November 2007 to Kuwait.

Rossin's commander, Lt. Col. David V. Gillum, said he was an invaluable part of the battalion.

"He was one of my 'go to' guys, one of those troopers who made things happen. He was invaluable to me, the battalion, and to his fellow troopers," Gillum said. "Sergeant First Class Rossin's daily effort meant the success or failure of our troopers' training."

Rossin ensured that every trooper was properly prepared and trained to serve the nation in combat, Gillum said.

"Sgt. First Class Rossin's daily effort meant the success or failure of our troopers' training," said Gillum.