A Green Beret who grew up in Sacramento and was known for his leadership ability and steadfast friendship has died from a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan while on patrol.

Capt. Joseph W. Schultz, 36, was traveling in a vehicle in Wardak province on Sunday when he was killed. He had served two tours in Iraq before being deployed to Afghanistan.

"He died doing exactly what he wanted to do, which was be in Afghanistan, be a commanding officer and fight terrorism," said longtime friend Jim DeBoo of Sacramento.

Two other soldiers died with Schultz: Staff Sgt. Martin R. Apolinar, 28, of Glendale, Ariz., and Sgt. Aaron J. Blasjo, 25, of Riverside. They were all assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Schultz, whose home was listed as Port Angeles, Wash., where his mother lives, graduated from El Camino High School in 1993. He was remembered by friends Thursday as a witty, passionate person and a natural leader.

DeBoo said Schultz helped him get his first job and was his best friend for 20 years. DeBoo, fighting back tears, called Schultz loyal, caring and compassionate.

"We both had single parents, we had no siblings," said DeBoo. "We were the closest thing we had to brothers."

After high school, Schultz graduated from the University of Oregon and then returned to Sacramento. He participated in a political campaign before working for Gov. Gray Davis.

Later, he made the transition to the U.S. State Department, where he was assigned to the Middle East desk. After that he lived on a kibbutz in Israel.

"The way he described it was that he was living in a first-world country, a city just like you see in the United States – and then a suicide bomber blows up a bus or a coffee shop," DeBoo said. "Between that and 9/11, he joined the Army."

Some of his friends have organized for next week "A gathering in memory of Joe Schultz" from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The event, posted on Facebook, will be held at the Clubhouse Sports Bar and Grill, 5150 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael.

Jason Salow, a friend from the El Camino High School class of 1993, said Schultz was a bright guy who played football and rugby.

It did not surprise Salow that his old friend was such a patriot: "He had drive, dedication and character," said Salow.

Another classmate, Lisa Gonzales, anchor and reporter for Channel 13 (KOVR), called Schultz an amazing person and a leader.

"He was fun to be around, serious when he needed to be serious," Gonzales said.

Schultz was destined for greatness, said Gonzales. She once thought he would become a politician.

"Then, when he worked for Gray Davis, I thought one day we would be voting for Joe Schultz for governor," said Gonzales. "Then he took this drastic turn after 9/11 and enlisted in the military. That also did not surprise us because he was such a standout leader."

He received his commission as an intelligence officer in 2003, according to a U.S. Army Special Forces Command biography. His first assignment was to the 1st Battlation, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.

Later, after receiving his green beret, he was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group. His awards include the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly, and mother, Betsy Reed Schultz of Port Angeles.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story had the incorrect first name of Schultz's wife.

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