BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A local soldier has been killed while fighting the war in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Luis Gutierrez-Rosales was killed last Wednesday while on patrol in Iraq. Three other men in his unit were also killed when insurgents detonated a roadside bomb and fired on the men, according to a release by the Department of Defense.

Family and friends were told of Gutierrez’s death this past weekend. A black ribbon adorns the front door of his mother’s home in Lamont.

“It was his dream,” said his mother, Maria Rosales.

Rosales last heard from her son two days prior to his death via e-mail. He wrote, “I love you and miss, mom.” The two were planning on seeing each other in October.

She said Gutierrez, who attend BHS, loved to doodle Army cartoons on his binders. He joined the Army when he turned 20, and has served his country until his death.

The 38-year-old Army Ranger was on his second tour of duty . He had three months left to go before returning to his base in Germany. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. Gutierrez also planned to marry his finance; she is also serving in Iraq. This Friday she will escort his body back to Bakersfield.

Gutierrez leaves behind his 8-year-old daughter Amber.