20-year veteran of Tampa police is laid to rest

Tampa police officers carry in the coffin of master patrol officer Victor Guerrero at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa before this morning's funeral. Guerrero, a 20-year veteran of the Tampa Police Department and father of six, died in a motorcycle crash Thursday with a Pasco County government truck. [CARRIE PRATT | Times]
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TAMPA -- Tampa police Master Patrol Officer Victor Guerrero was remembered today as a respected man who valued his family and his police unit and served in both the Marines and the police department.

A bagpiper played as his casket was brought in and out of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa for this morning's funeral, attended by about 400 Tampa police officers and about 200 others.

"Vic was just a very quiet man. The man was a good man," said Monsignor Laurence Higgins. "He did his work well."

Guerrero was killed Thursday when his motorcycle was hit by a Pasco County government truck.

During her remarks, Mayor Pam Iorio addressed Guerrero's wife, Lara, "It seems so unfair, Lara. I stood here before just two years ago wondering why such a kind and good person was taken from our lives," apparently referring to the death of the Tampa police officer who served as her driver. Iorio told the group to look back on Guerrero's life as the gift that it was. "We will never forget the public service and the goodness of a man named Vic Guerrero."

Police Chief Steve Hogue said that Guerrero chose to spend all of his police career patrolling the streets. "He could have chosen something with less danger, something with less stress. He chose that life."

After the service, Hogue presented Mrs. Guerrero a folded American flag while a Marine presented a second folded flag to Guerrero's oldest son, Michael.

Read about the accident that killed Guerrero: Officer killed in crash

View, sign guestbook

Justin George, Times staff writer

Tampa Police Chief Steve Hogue hugs Lara Guerrero after the funeral for her husband, Master Patrol Officer Victor Guerrero. [Carrie Pratt, Times]