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Tampa Officer Devoted To Family, Job, Mourners Say

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By JOSH POLTILOVE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 8, 2008

TAMPA - At an emotional funeral service for Tampa Police Department Master Patrol Officer Victor Guerrero, dignitaries remembered him as a good officer and loving family man who deserved respect.

Mayor Pam Iorio called Guerrero "an uncommon man."

"The city of Tampa has lost a good officer and a public servant," she said. "A good police officer means so much to the community."

Guerrero, 47, died May 1 when he was off duty and riding his motorcycle south on U.S. 41 in Pasco County. He collided with a county-owned pickup truck that had turned into the path of his bike, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Wednesday morning, with about 600 people present, he was mourned.

Several dozen officers in dress uniform lined up just outside the church to await the arrival of their fallen colleague.

When the hearse arrived shortly before 9:45 a.m., the officers saluted, standing at attention as officers serving as pallbearers removed the dark brown casket and draped a flag over it. As bagpipes played, Guerrero's family members solemnly followed the casket into St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

Guerrero, who lived in Brooksville, is survived by his wife, Lara, three children and three stepchildren.

During the service, several speakers said Guerrero was worthy of respect.

Monsignor Laurence Higgins, who led the service, said Guerrero was a good father and a good husband.

"He loved his job as an officer," Higgins said.

Several hundred officers attended the service to honor Guerrero, who will be cremated.

Guerrero spent his 20-year career as a police officer out on the streets, Police Chief Stephen Hogue told the mourners. Officers can find different roles with the department when they have spent that much time on the force - roles that are less dangerous or less stressful - but that's not the kind of person Guerrero was, Hogue said.

Guerrero's contribution to the city will be missed, he said.

"He was respected by everybody who knew him - his work, his work ethic," Hogue said.

Guerrero's family didn't speak at the service.

They also declined to speak to the media, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

Shortly before 11 a.m. outside the church, officers gently lifted the U.S. flag off Guerrero's casket while a bagpiper played taps.

Officers stood and saluted. The flag was folded and handed to Hogue, who presented it to Guerrero's widow. They hugged, and she kissed his cheek.

The Marine Corps presented a flag to Guerrero's oldest son, Michael, because Victor Guerrero had spent four years in the Marines before becoming a police officer, Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

After the flags were presented, Sgt. Garrett Allen, who was Guerrero's direct supervisor, said Guerrero was a Christian man who valued family first.

Allen said Guerrero's squad will miss his leadership.

When asked by the Tribune what he respected most about Guerrero, Allen said, "His consistency, his priorities of making family first. He also makes the community a priority."

In Guerrero's personnel file, his most recent evaluation showed he met or exceeded expectations in job knowledge, job performance, dependability and interpersonal skills.

"He is a mature and highly skilled police officer," the November 2007 evaluation stated. "He is flexible and easily adapts to change. Officer Guerrero willingly responds anywhere in the district to assist other officers that requires a Spanish interpreter. He possesses excellent people skills and treats the public with respect; and when the situation dictates, his verbal commands and command presence yields good results."

Tampa police officers will attend their annual memorial service Friday morning, 411 N. Franklin St.

The department has lost 26 police officers in its history.

TBO.com producer Beth Gaddis contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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