His family said, even in the wake of his death, they take comfort knowing he did what he wanted to do with his life.
Army ranger Sgt. Patrick Rudd of Madisonville was serving in Iraq with the 3rd battalion, 75th ranger regiment when he was killed Sunday.
Bill Rudd learned his son had been killed just a few hours after Patrick's death.
"We felt that the military took a boy, made a man out of him, who came out with much more purpose and drive for life," Bill said.
Sgt. Rudd, known as "Ricky" in the army, died during a raid on associates of senior Al Qaeda leaders.
Fighting Al Qaeda was a mission he and his family believed in.
"I owe a deep, deep gratitude to the US armed forces and what they do for us each day, so nobody will come over here and get us," said Bill.
Rudd is the first Hopkins County soldier killed in the war in Iraq.
County and city flags will be at half-staff until the 27-year-old army ranger is laid to rest.
"[There's been] an outpouring of love for Patrick. And, an outpouring of love from people I don't know for this country," Bill said.
Bill Rudd says his son knew and accepted the dangers of his job.
"He was an army ranger. They are the first in, and they lead the way."
Army rangers Fox 7 spoke with say the best description of Patrick and his fellow rangers is a paraphrase of a George Orwell quote: "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
And, Bill Rudd knows that was his son.
"My son did this for others not for himself. He believed in his unit. He believe in God. And, he believed in this country. He believed in the cause."
The Rudd family is still awaiting the return of Patrick's body to the United States.
Specific funeral arrangements have not been made yet.