Death of Sullivan Man Believed To Be Related To PTSD
The death of a Sullivan man on November 21 is believed to be related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, according to early investigations.
Jeff B. Hamblin, 44, drove onto the parking lot of the Sullivan Police Department around 6 p.m., parked his motorcycle, walked towards the front of the station with a handgun and fired a shot. The shot was fired at the side of the building.
Hamblin then shot himself in the chest.
Sullivan Police officers, who were at the station during shift change, responded within seconds of the incident. They, along with members from Missouri Baptist Ambulance, began providing immediate medical attention. Hamblin was transported to Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries.
Post-Traumatic Stress Discorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event either experiencing it or witnessing it, with symptoms that include flashback nightmares, and severe anxiety as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Hamblin was a 1993 graduate of Sullivan High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1996 as a combat engineer serving several military assignments that included Kosovo in 2000 and Iraq in 2003.
According to the family obituary, as a result of these two deployments, Hamblin suffered from multiple health issues including PTSD and depression, which ultimately lead to his passing.
Hamblin was medically discharged from the military as an E-5 Sergeant in 2004 and went on to obtain his Associate Degree in EMT/Paramedics.
Hamblin is survived by his wife, Rebecca and five children, Elizabeth, Jessica, Kelsey, Jacob and Trevor.
Funeral services were under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, and were planned for Wednesday, November 28, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sullivan.
For a full obituary on the life of Sgt. Jeff B. Hamblin so this week’s obituary page in Sullivan Independent News.
The Sullivan Independent News wishes to extend our condolences to the Hamblin family.