When Sandra Maxwell thinks about the son she lost, she tries to practice the principles he embodied: Be determined. Be proud. Be strong, and get the job done.

One week after losing Louis Maxwell Jr., a 27-year-old close protection officer for the United Nations who grew up in the Miami area, she tries not to spend a lot of time crying. She points to a photo of him on-duty and says:

``This is his serious face. When it was time to work, he worked. He was so determined. That is how he was brought up.''

Maxwell be remembered Saturday at a noon service in Miami Gardens.

Louis was one of at least five U.N. security officers killed in Kabul, Afghanistan, last week. He was standing guard at the organization's guest house when Taliban militants barged in, according to a United Nations news release.

The militants had assault rifles and suicide vests. The security officers had hand guns.

Maxwell was the only American who died in the incident. In his death, his mother tries not to focus on the life that was lost -- but the ones he saved.

There were 34 people sleeping in the guest house, according to the U.N. The security unit was able to stave off the Taliban long enough for them to all escape.

``My heart hurts, and I've never felt a pain like this in my life,'' said Maxwell, a 62-year-old who lives in Miami Gardens. ``But what I can say is he did something right in his life . . . and he paid the ultimate sacrifice to do what he loved.''

His family all called him Jay. He had a playful sense of humor, loved fishing with his dad and sometimes mocked his own inability to dance.

But he loved music at an early age, learning the violin in first grade while at Liberty City Elementary School. That love never left. He played violin, drums, saxophone and a little piano.

By the time he graduated from Miami Central High School, his family said, he was the leader of the trumpet section. They looked forward to him playing at Florida A&M University on a scholarship and getting a college degree.

Jay had different plans. His family didn't realize it, but he was developing a fascination with joining the military.

His mother was startled when she caught him with paperwork to enlist in the Navy -- at 17, no less.

``He tried signing up and he was underage,'' she said. ``I was upset because I expected him to go to college.''

He eventually persuaded her to sign the paperwork, saying that college would simply be a waste of money.

Maxwell joined the Navy in 2000 and served four years of duty. In 2006, he decided to work with the U.N., serving in Lebanon and then Afghanistan.

``He had this big smile and, just a way about him, that people would always gravitate toward him,'' said his sister, 40-year-old Aijalon Muhammud.

His mother last spoke with him two days before his death. He was in good spirits and still excited about his work. He spoke briefly with his son and told his mother he loved her.

``I love you, too,'' she recalls saying. ``But be safe.''

Always, Mom, he replied. Always.

He is survived by his parents, Sandra and Louis; his sister and his two sons, 7-year-old Malik and 11-month-old Nasir.

The family will hold a service at noon Saturday at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Carol City, 21311 NW 34th Ave., in Miami Gardens.

Miami Herald staff writer Trenton Daniel contributed to this report.

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