JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- After hearing about the death of a 23-year-old Army private, friends of the local serviceman spoke out about the man they called a model soldier.

Pfc. Tavarus D. Setzler died of wounds sustained in Iraq last Thursday.

"Freedom is not free, and he proved that. He paid with his life," said Robert E. Lee High School ROTC instructor Lt. Dean Williams.

The instructor said he has never received a phone call like the one he got last weekend. That's when Williams learned his former student was killed while serving in Iraq.

"He made the ultimate sacrifice. It's warriors like him who allow us to have the freedom we have," Williams said.

Setzler graduated from Lee in 2005. Williams said from day one, Setzler was a model student who excelled at everything he did.

Although Williams said Setzler was a shy and reserved student, he said the Army private came back to school after graduation to encourage other students.

"He wore his uniform proudly. He did what he was asked to do, and he did it to his best ability," Williams said.

Setzler was injured last week when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device, according to the Department of Defense. Channel 4 learned one of Setzler's high school classmates, Josh Stanley, was also stationed in Iraq at the time, and tried to save Setzler's life.

Williams said the difficult task at hand is hoping students can move on from the terrible loss.

"He was the kind of person you would want to be part of your team -- a part of your military unit," Williams said.

Setzler's decorations and awards include the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

Setzler was the youngest of seven children, and he was engaged to be married to a Navy sailor stationed in Norfolk.

The funeral for Setzler will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Greater Hope First Born Church in Jacksonville.