A senior Air Force officer was killed Saturday afternoon in a motorcycle accident near Otterberg, Germany, according to an Air Force news release.

Lt. Col. John Witherow, of Pollock, La., was the chief radiologist assigned to the 86th Medical Group, and was stationed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center since 2008. He was 39.

Witherow was off-duty when the accident occurred, and no other vehicles were involved, said a command spokesman.

“This is a tragedy and our hearts go out to the Witherow family,” Col. Stephen Lambert, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, was quoted in the release as saying. “He was a loving father, husband, wingman and friend. His loss will be felt across our Kaiserslautern Military Community.”

Witherow is survived by his wife, Dana, and two children, Grant, 8 and Elise, 6.

The base is planning a memorial service at Landstuhl chapel, but the time and date for ceremony is not yet finalized.

Officials said the incident is currently under investigation.

-- From staff reports

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