Tears Flow as Family, Friends Attend Rosary for Slain Sheriff’s Deputy

A sheriff’s helicopter flew overhead about 7 p.m. as the body of slain Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Peter John Aguirre Jr. lay in an open casket Sunday at Sacred Heart Church.

Aguirre, who had been with the Sheriff’s Department barely seven months, was killed Thursday after responding to a domestic dispute in Meiners Oaks.

Authorities say Michael Raymond Johnson shot the 26-year-old Aguirre three times, twice in the head and once in the shoulder.

Sunday’s rosary, which began about 6:45 p.m. at the church on Henderson Road, was an opportunity for 100 family, close friends and colleagues to pay their respects in a private setting.

A public service for the Santa Paula native will be held today at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart. Aguirre will be buried at the Santa Paula Cemetery.

Family began arriving at the church Sunday about 5 p.m. A large photograph of a uniform-clad Aguirre was set up outside each of the two entrances.

Some of the visitors stood back and stared at the color photos, whispering to themselves, while others sat on a nearby bench in silence. Some approached the photos and touched them.

Aguirre’s father, Peter Sr., stood straight and tall as he greeted civilians and officers alike, while his mother, Marie, struggled with her emotions. The slain deputy’s wife, Dina Aguirre, 26, of Ventura, was approached by many who offered a hand and a good word.

Peter and Dina’s daughter, Gabriella, 3, darted around the legs of members of a Sheriff’s Department honor guard, and ran her hands through the many flower arrangements that had been sent to the church.

“Dina is being really strong for her daughter,” said Francine Covarrubius, Dina’s sister. “Strong for her daughter and for Peter.”

Prior to the rosary, Father Daniel O’Sullivan led the church’s regular Sunday evening Mass at 5:30 in which he touched on Aguirre’s slaying, speaking of forgiveness. Good and evil will always be around us, O’Sullivan said. “Let us always resolve to be on the side of good,” he added.

About 6:40 p.m., two sheriff’s motorcycle officers appeared from the east on California 126, their flashing lights bright in the early evening light. Behind them was a hearse.

As the motorcade made its way onto the Wells Road offramp, the honor guard stood at attention. The procession glided into the church driveway and stopped at the front entrance.

Aguirre’s maternal grandmother, Josie Martinez of Oxnard, watched as eight deputies lifted her grandson’s flag-draped casket out of the hearse. A friend of Aguirre’s stood a distance away wringing his hands and staring at the casket, tears in his eyes.

The casket was rolled to the front of the sanctuary, where it was opened for viewing.

During this morning’s funeral, Henderson Road near the church will be closed from 7 a.m to 1 p.m. for the service and funeral procession. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Santa Paula Street in Santa Paula will be closed between Cameron and Bradley streets.

The service is scheduled to end around noon, at which time the procession will make its way to the cemetery.

The procession will move from Darling Road to Wells Road, where it will turn left and make its way onto California 126 heading east. It will exit 126 at Briggs Road, turn left and head toward Santa Paula Street, where it will turn right. The cemetery is located off Santa Paula Street.

The procession is expected to take about an hour, sheriff’s officials said.