Sgt. Tommy Lazzaro, in college (left), and his military memorial on Jan. 31. Photo: Tom Lazzaro; Sergeant Hunter Garcia
The Story of Tommy Lazzaro
Tommy Lazzaro was always the kind of guy who gave his all—on the football field, in the Army, and with the people he loved. Whether he was leading a high school team to victory or training to become a Green Beret, he poured his heart into everything he did. He lived with joy, fought with determination, and loved fiercely.
But on December 22, everything changed. The 27-year-old sergeant, stationed in Destin, Florida, was on his way to help fellow soldiers whose truck had gotten stuck. He never made it. A stray bullet from a hunter in the area struck him through his truck door, hitting his femoral artery. It was a freak accident—one that left his family and friends in shock.
“He was so excited for Christmas. He couldn’t wait for us to get there,” his sister, Lexie, recalled. Just hours before his death, he had called, giddy about celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday.
The news shattered his family. His parents, Tom and Lisa, along with his sister, had just arrived in town to see him when they got the devastating call. His girlfriend, Kaley, who he had planned to propose to, could barely speak through her tears.
From Football Star to Green Beret
Tommy grew up in Colorado, where he shined as a high school football champion. He later became a college quarterback at Central Michigan University, where he graduated with a business degree in 2019. But corporate life wasn’t for him. During the pandemic, he realized he craved something more—a sense of purpose, teamwork, and challenge.
So, in 2020, he enlisted in the Army. He wasn’t interested in an officer’s desk job. He wanted to be in the action.
“I want to be a door kicker,” he told his father, a former Army Ranger himself.
He pushed through grueling training to earn the prestigious Green Beret title, joining the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). In early 2024, he deployed to Ecuador, training local personnel. His passion for service was undeniable.
A Life Full of Love and Laughter
But Tommy wasn’t just a warrior—he was a guy who lived life with humor and heart. His family describes him as a “dancing queen” who never missed a chance to have fun. If there was a wedding, he was the first one on the dance floor—and the first to take his shirt off.
“He called clothes ‘body prisons,’” his dad joked. “At every wedding, he somehow ended up shirtless.”
But beneath the jokes was a man who deeply cared about others. He was the one who would fly across the country just to cheer up a friend. The guy who would jump in to help a waitress bus tables at a packed restaurant. The one who never hesitated to lend a hand.
Honoring His Legacy
In the wake of his passing, Tommy’s family is determined to keep his spirit alive. They have created the Tommy Lazzaro Foundation to support underprivileged high school athletes—helping young people chase their dreams, just like he did.
In January, his parents and sister returned to Florida for his military memorial. More than 250 people gathered—soldiers, family, and friends—to honor him. His fellow Green Berets, in true Tommy fashion, celebrated his life the way he would have wanted: by removing their shirts and embracing the moment.
His father summed it up best: “He was taken too soon, but he lived life to the fullest.”
And for those who loved him, that’s how they will always remember him—flashing his big goofy grin, dancing like nobody was watching, and always, always putting others first.
