HURLBURT FIELD — Just four days after the death of Maj. Adrianna Vorderbruggen, her squadron commander took her special agent badge to the beach to take some photos.

Lt. Col. Pamela Alley was capturing some shots of water rolling over Badge 1502, when a large wave broke and swept it out into the gulf. Alley said she frantically jumped into the water up to her knees in a state of panic searching for the badge before recovering 1502.

“I’m convinced Adrianna sent that wave and was laughing her head off at me running into the water thinking I’d lost a fallen agent’s badge forever,” the Air Force Office of Special Investigation 9th Field Investigations Squadron commander said, sharing a moment of levity about her fallen airman. “But Badge 1502 is safe and sound again.”

Badge-carrying Air Force special agents, security forces and local law enforcement descended on the Soundside for a memorial Thursday to remember and pay their respects to Vorderbruggen, who was killed in Afghanistan Dec. 21. She died with five other Air Force OSI and security forces personnel while on a foot patrol in a village north of Bagram Airfield. She was buried in Arlington National Cemetery Jan. 19.

The theme of “leading by example and leading from the front” emerged quickly and was echoed through all of the guests speaking and sharing memories of “Major V” during the ceremony.

“If her team was outside the wire doing a village assessment, then that’s where she would be,” said Alley. “She was with her team, leading from the front.”

Vorderbruggen began her Air Force career graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2002. She became a special agent in 2003.

In 2009, she was selected as an Air Force Institute of Technology student and began earning a master’s degree in forensic sciences. In 2013, she was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base as the director of operations for the 9th FIS.

In July 2015, she deployed to Bagram. It was her second deployment.

“We cannot count the many lives she and her teammates ensured we returned home safely,” said Col. Christopher Holton, AFOSI 1st FIS. “Our challenge today is to serve the way Adrianna served, with dedication and vigor. Her loss will not be in vain as we carry on where she left off.”

To close the ceremony, special agents from her squadron read aloud her posthumous medal citations for the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service, Army Achievement and Air Force Combat Action. As the ceremony ended, agents, airmen and local law enforcement paid their respects by touching and saluting Vorderbruggen’s ceremonial boots, weapon and helmet one last time.

At the end of her speech, Alley fought back emotion as she spoke directly to her fallen DO, Vorderbruggen.

“Adrianna, you are a hero,” Alley said. “You made a difference. You are one of the absolute best our world had and we will never forget your sacrifice. We will honor you with how we live our lives. Thank you for your service.”

Vorderbruggen is survived by her wife, Heather Lamb, their son Jacob, her father and her brothers.