Photo by DAVID ALBERS The casket carrying the body of Army Sgt. Linda L. Pierre is removed from First Baptist Church in Immokalee Saturdaymorning. Pierre, 28, was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month.

IMMOKALEE — Sgt. Linda L. Pierre was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star at her funeral Saturday morning.

Army officials gave the medals to her parents at Pierre’s closed-casket funeral service at First Baptist Church that more than 400 people attended. Pierre was recently killed in Afghanistan.

About 60 members of the Patriot Guard Riders holding American flags arrived before the 10 a.m. service at the church, 1411 Lake Trafford Road. The service was followed by the burial at Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home, 12777 SR82, Fort Myers.

Members of the Florida National Guard Honor Guard, Collier County Sheriff’s Honor Guard and seven Army officials also were present.

Pierre, 28, was one of five U.S. soldiers killed April 16 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Pierre, who was assigned to the 101st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky., died of wounds suffered when an Afghan National Army soldier attacked them with multiple grenades, according to U.S. Department of Defense reports.

Pierre, who was in her first tour overseas and had been deployed in late 2010, served as a human resource specialist helping train Afghan soldiers and was also on foot patrol, according to family members.