SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – A Green Beret with ties to Sacramento died in the line of duty in Afghanistan over Memorial Day weekend, military officials said.

Army Captain Joseph Schultz, 36, died Sunday night in the Wardak province of Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device was detonated near his Humvee, killing him and two other members of the 3rd Special Forces Group based out of Fort Bragg.

The other two casualties were identified as 28-year-old Staff Sgt. Martin R. Apolinar, of Glendale, Arizona; and 25-year-old Sgt. Aaron J. Blasjo, of Riverside, California.

Schultz graduated from El Camino High School and appeared to be on a political fast track, working with Governor Gray Davis and developing a strong rapport in state political circles, according to friends.

After the Sept. 11 attacks, Schultz joined the Army and was in the middle of his third tour in Afghanistan when he was killed.

A memorial service for Schultz will be held this weekend in Seattle, where his mother currently lives.

- Watch Tony Lopez’s full report