Shaw airman killed in motorcycle accident

An Air Force staff sergeant at Shaw Air Force Base died Thursday morning in a motorcycle accident at a gate onto the base, authorities said.

Staff Sgt. Dallas R. Pauls, 31, was a radio frequency transmissions system supervisor with the 609th Air Communications Squadron. The accident happened at the U.S. 76 gate, Air Force officials said.

Pauls joined the Air Force in 2006 and arrived at Shaw last year.

“Staff Sergeant Dallas Pauls was a charismatic and amazingly talented NCO,” said Col. Stamatis Smeltz, director of communications for AFCENT. “His witty and dependable character shined through in every aspect of his life. He was a true wingman, mentor, and leader,” Smeltz said. “He will be greatly missed by the men and women of the 609th Air Communications Squadron and the USAFCENT A6 Directorate.”

An on-base memorial service is being planned.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Shaw airman killed in motorcycle accident."