Quite a few of you fellow football fans should be relieved that the U.S. Army will launch a criminal investigation to determine whether ex-NFL player Cpl. Pat Tillman's 2004 death from friendly fire in Afghanistan was negligent homicide, CNN learned on Saturday. The Pentagon's inspector general directed the Army Criminal Investigative Division to conduct the probe, sources said. Initial reports after his death said Tillman, 27.

        As you know from my previous article on 4/24/04, (inadvertently mispelling his last name) he was killed on 4/23/04 in Afghanistan as he was a member of the Army Rangers. That dreadful day of his death, it was stated that he was shot and killed by Taliban forces during an ambush on April 22, 2004. An investigation later found that fellow soldiers (friendly fire) shot Tillman, thinking he was part of an enemy force firing at them.

      Tillman's whole family demanded to know why his uniform and body armor were burned a day after he was killed and why they were not immediately told he might have been killed by fellow soldiers. His family was finally notified Friday (3/3/06) about the investigation after months of questioning his death.

      After looking into the previous investigations into Tillman's death, the Pentagon's inspector general determined the Army never went through the process of conducting a criminal probe. The investigation process will not necessarily result in any charges against U.S. soldiers.

      Two years before his death, Tillman walked away from a $3.6 million contract with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals to serve in the military. He was posthumously awarded a Silver Star. He was a member of A Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment based at Fort Lewis, Washington. His brother, Kevin, trained with him and served in the same unit.

       I am very proud of his his whole family for finding enough nerves as well as courage in their blood torn lives to initiate the process they are embarking on. Mr. and Mrs. Tillman my condolences go out to you for honoring your son! Gods Peace and Love to you! Sincerely, LOU^U.P.^