SAYING FAREWELL TO A SIMI OFFICER; FAMILY, COLLEAGUES, ACQUAINTANCES RECALL MAN'S SENSE OF HUMOR.

Byline: Paul O'Donoghue Staff Writer

Flags at city buildings flew at half-staff Monday for police officer Joe Loniero as more than 500 family members, friends and city officials remembered his sense of humor and zest for life.

Loniero's brother-in-law, Andrew Virzi, spoke to family and law enforcement officers who packed a funeral service at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, recalling the father of two's love for scuba-diving, water-skiing and family spaghetti dinners at his parents' Simi Valley home.

``He left a lasting impression on all of us,'' said Virzi, who is married to Loniero's sister, Mary. ``We love you, we miss you, we'll never forget you.''

Loniero, 40, who had been struggling with family problems, fatally shot himself early Thursday.

At the church across from Royal High School, where Loniero played sports and graduated in 1977, friends and fellow officers were still trying to make sense of the loss of the 20-year department veteran.

Loniero, named Officer of the Year in 1992, was born in Pittsburgh and moved to Simi Valley with his family when he was 4 years old. He joined the police department in 1979 as a civilian aide and became an officer in 1980. He served as a sergeant and was an officer at the time of his death.

``It's a pretty sad day. I hope I will never see this again,'' said Mayor Bill Davis, who remembered meeting Loniero more than a decade ago because the officer had been so outgoing. ``He was certainly well-liked by everyone. He was a great officer and a nice person.''

Brother-in-law Chad Sourbeer said Loniero took him under his wing as a college student, and was sure to be there when he was accepted into the Fire Department.

``He made us laugh, he made us feel stronger and, above all, he made us feel loved,'' Sourbeer said. ``Joe was able to get you to laugh when you felt bad.''

During the funeral service, two officers in dress uniform stood in an honor guard at both sides of the altar and many members of the congregation cried.

Outside the church, family and friends mourned the loss.

``We're here to honor 20 years of service by a dedicated officer,'' said Simi Valley Police Chief Randy Adams. ``It's very tragic.''

Sal Trapani, a friend from their days at Royal High, said Loniero would be missed.

``Joe was a great guy and he had a lot of inner strength,'' said Trapani. ``There's a lot of people who loved Joe and had a lot of respect for him.''

Loniero was interred at Assumption Cemetery, where a piper played a lament and ``Amazing Grace,'' and hundreds of officers, family members and friends hugged and wept.

He leaves behind his wife, Susan, and daughters Becca, 18, and Caitlyn, 10.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--2 -- Color in Simi only) Above, pallbearers leave the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with the casket of police officer Joe Loniero. Left, family and friends gather outside the church before funeral services Monday.

Lilly Barrett/Special to the Daily News