Rossford man who joined Marines after 9/11 attacks is killed in battle in Iraq

David Christoff is shown during Marine bootcamp in Parris Island, South Carolina.

A former University of Toledo student and Rossford resident was killed by a roadside bomb while serving his second tour of duty as an Ohio Marine in Iraq, family members confirmed today.

Sgt. David Christoff, Jr., 25, 162 Hannum Avenue, Rossford, died Sunday while on foot patrol with his unit, said his father, David Christoff, Sr.

Sergeant Christoff attended UT for the fall 2000 semester as a business major before deciding to enlist in the Marines after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the elder Christoff said.

"He was going to pursue some sort of business degree at UT and [after the attacks] the only thing he could do is join the military," his father said. "He does things all the way, and he joined the Marine Corps to get the guys who knocked those buildings down."

After serving in Iraq, Mr. Christoff said his son had hoped to begin a career in law enforcement.

Authorities with the U.S. Marine Corps public affairs office would not immediately confirm the Rossford Marine's death, citing notification protocol.

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