Luke Air Force Base officer's death related to H1N1 flu

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/145631

Luke AFB officer's death related to H1N1 flu
Sonu Munshi, Tribune

October 9, 2009 - 5:43PM

A 25-year-old Luke Air Force Base military officer died last week following complications related to the H1N1 virus, according to preliminary autopsy results from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner?s Office released Thursday.

Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Rankin, 25, died Oct. 4 at home in Glendale. Rankin was diagnosed with H1N1 but there were other complications, so it was in conjunction with another disease, said Justin Oakes, spokesman for the 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office.

Rankin wasn?t diagnosed with H1N1 until after he died, once an autopsy was performed.

A loved one who was with Rankin at home called 911 but he was unresponsive when help arrived. He was pronounced dead at a West Valley hospital.

Sgt. Rankin of Anchorage, Alaska, was assigned to the 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and served as an F-16 crew chief at Luke Air Force Base since February 2008, according to authorities. He?d served the Air Force since October 2003.

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Luke AFB officer's death related to H1N1 flu

Pathfinder

An Air Force staff sergeant with Kentucky ties has died suddenly. Preliminary autopsy results show that he had the H1N1 virus.
5:57 PM Oct 12, 2009
Wendy Enneking wendy.enneking@wkyt.com
Soldier dies after contracting H1N1

Nicholasville residents Robin and Bonnie Rankin are mourning the loss of his son Shawn Rankin. The 25-year-old Air Force staff sergeant and Kentucky native died Sunday. Preliminary autopsy results show that Rankin had the H1N1 virus.
Rankin was based at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona. His father and stepmother say he was in excellent shape and even passed a rigorous physical fitness test on Thursday. He began to feel ill on Friday. The Rankin's say that Shawn had a doctor's appointment on Monday and had decided that he would just rest all weekend. His fiance discovered him dead in bed early Sunday morning.
Rankin's stepmother says Shawn's death has prompted her to speak out on the importance of getting to the doctor's office if you suspect you have the flu. She feels strongly that if Shawn had been given anti-viral medication, he might still be alive.
Shawn Rankin will be buried later this week in Anchorage, Alaska.http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/64042912.html