NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- A New Bedford Marine has been killed in Iraq, officials said Thursday.

NewsCenter 5's Jim Boyd reported that Michael Ford, 19, lost his life when his tank hit a mine in the western part of the country on Wednesday.

Ford's family held a memorial service for the fallen hero at the New Bedford Library Thursday afternoon.

"I got the news at 12:30 a.m. I hear a knock on the door. As soon as I opened the door, I knew what it was. It was something I had been praying wouldn't happen, but it's in God's hands now," Ford's father, Joseph Ford, said.

Joseph Ford said that his son was dedicated to his country and community.

"He watched TV one night and listened to President Bush. He decided he wanted to do something with his life. He wanted to go into the military, get an education, come home and continue to serve the community by becoming a police officer. He just wanted to serve," Joseph Ford said.

Michael Ford had been in Iraq for only 28 days when he was killed.