(AP) - An Army sergeant from Passaic County was killed when insurgents attacked his vehicle in Iraq, the militarysaid Friday.

Staff Sgt. Jason M. Butkus, 34, who grew up in West Milford,N.J., died Thursday when his Humvee was hit by a rocket-propelledgrenade in Baghdad, his family said.

He was assigned to the A Company, 1st Battalion, 28th InfantryRegiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division,out of Fort Riley, Kansas.

Butkus joined the Army in 1995 and began serving with the 1stInfantry Division in October 2006. This was his first deployment toIraq.

"He died doing what he loved, serving in uniform as an infantryNCO," his family said in a statement. "Jason will always be ahero to us."

Butkus was a graduate of West Milford High School, where he wasa member of the track and wrestling teams.

His mother and stepfather, Cheryl and Edward Bohn, live in OldBridge.

Butkus is also survived by his father, Michael Butkus ofHouston, Texas; his former wife, Amanda, and a 9-year-old son,Connor, both of Fairbanks, Alaska; and his sisters, Tonya Conklinof West Milford, and Vanessa Butkus of Bloomingdale.