SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - George Dulal is heartsick over what happened.
He said Demetrius Jolly was a Marine people looked up to.
"He was probably one of the most standup guys that I had the pleasure of working with," Dulal said.
Dulal worked with him at MCRD for years. He says Jolly was the quintessential drill instructor. He led recruits, turning young men into model Marines.
"They definitely respected him," Dulal recalled of his friend.
Jolly was part of Third Battalion 5th Marines, which is known as "Darkhorse." They lost more men than any Marine unit throughout the war in Afghanistan.
Jolly survived the horrific bloodbath only to come under attack on home soil. His life ended here on Saturday night. Phoenix police believe someone in a motorcycle club shot him and left him bleeding in the street.
"To have something happen not in a combat environment, not in another country, it really kind of breaks your heart," Dulal said.
Friends said he was a true warrior with a big heart. Jolly got out last year but never stopped checking on his brothers in arms.
Dulal said Jolly wasn't just a Marine. He was also a dad and one his 10-year-old son, Roman, could look up to.
"[Roman] understood that his dad was great," Dulal said. "His son will remember him as a great man. As the hero he was to me."
After all he gave, Dulal is hoping people will give back by helping his family with their final farewell. A GoFundMehas been set up to help Jolly's family.
