Friends, fellow cadets, and members of the military community are remembering Cody A. Khork not only as a soldier, but as a man whose kindness, leadership, and quiet encouragement left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.

Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, served as a military police officer in the United States Army Reserve. But to many who trained alongside him, his impact reached far beyond the responsibilities of his rank.

Among those reflecting on his life is Trae Miller, who first met Khork through the ROTC program at Florida Southern College. Miller joined the program a few years after Khork, yet quickly recognized the example the future captain set for younger cadets.

Khork, he said, was never someone who focused solely on his own progress. Instead, he consistently made time to support others.

Whether someone was new to ROTC or simply unsure of their place, Khork had a way of making them feel welcome. He offered guidance without judgment and treated every cadet with patience and respect.

Even those who didn’t know him closely remembered the way he carried himself — calm, humble, and always willing to lend a hand.

For many, it was those small gestures that defined who he was.

Learning of Khork’s passing has been deeply painful for those who once stood beside him in formation. Within ROTC and the broader military community, shared training and commitment often create bonds that last long after cadets leave campus and move into active service.

“Losing someone who committed his life to serving our country brings back memories of others I’ve lost,” Miller wrote in a tribute shared with fellow cadets and friends. “But this one feels more personal.”

Khork’s path in uniform began in 2009 when he enlisted in the National Guard. His dedication and leadership eventually led him to become an officer in 2014, a role in which he continued supporting and protecting fellow soldiers.

Throughout his military career, Khork served on several overseas assignments, each time carrying a deep sense of pride in representing his country.

Those who knew him say he had a natural ability to bring people together. His family remembers him as someone with an infectious spirit, a generous heart, and a deep love for the people in his life.

He valued friendships deeply, embraced life with enthusiasm, and believed strongly in serving something greater than himself.

Khork was not the only soldier lost. Three other members of the United States Army Reserve also died while serving in the Middle East: Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue; Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake; and Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines.

All four soldiers were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, a unit responsible for supporting military operations and ensuring service members receive the equipment and logistical support they need.

Their deaths have left a profound void among their families, fellow soldiers, and communities.

For Miller and many others who once trained beside Khork, the memories that remain are not only of a soldier, but of a mentor, leader, and friend who quietly shaped the lives of those around him.

“My heart is with everyone at Florida Southern and within the military community who is grieving,” Miller wrote.

“Cody will be deeply missed, remembered, and honored.”

And for those who knew him best, his legacy of courage, service, and compassion will continue to live on — not only in the military community he served, but in the countless lives he inspired.