A former Seattle police officer serving in Iraq was killed.

Major Guy Barattieri, 36, had extensive military experience including heading a special forces unit.

He was a graduate of Westpoint.

His family said he was killed by an improvised explosive device, or IED.

Barattierri was a Seattle patrol officer from March 2001 to August 2004, when he resigned, police told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

His family was notified of his death Wednesday morning.

He leaves behind a wife and two children.

The U.S. Army said he is not among active-duty casualties, and may have been working as a contractor in Iraq.