Fallen SRO Remembered For Smile, Helpful Spirit

ESSEX, MD — The school resource officer at Eastern Technical High School who died from what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound this week is being remembered by those who knew and loved him. Tributes have appeared, and a visitation is planned.

Officer Joseph Horace Comegna, 53, died on Monday, Nov. 12.

He was the son of the late retired Baltimore Police Department's Horace "Bud" and Barbara Comegna and son-in-law of Jean Kiebler and is survived by wife Shannon M. (nee Kiebler) Comegna; children Meaghan, Kyle and Ryan; and grandchildren Brennen and Owen. He also leaves behind brothers Steven and Victor; nieces and nephews; his black lab, Bella; and friends as well as colleagues.

Visitation for friends and relatives will be at the Schimunek Funeral Home, 9705 Belair Rd., Nottingham, from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m on Thursday, Nov. 15. Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may go to the St. Ursula School, 8900 Harford Rd., Parkville, MD 21234 and/or Archbishop Curley High School, 3701 Sinclair Lane, Baltimore, MD 21213.

Officer Comegna was a school resource officer at Eastern Tech, where police said he had been a fixture for four years. He had been a school resource officer for 12 years and was a 21-year veteran of the police department.

Officer Comegna was remembered in several ways on Tuesday, Nov. 13, one day after he was found shot in his office.

The Baltimore County Council held a moment of silence for Comegna on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

"I am saddened to learn about the death of Officer Joseph Comegna, school resource officer at Eastern Technical High. My thoughts & prayers are with his family, BCPD, and Eastern Tech’s students & staff," Interim Superintendent Verletta White wrote in a statement. "We will be sure to have the traumatic loss team at the school for support."

Students reportedly left tributes outside Officer Comegna's office on campus.

TRIBUTE: Just received this photo form a student at Eastern Tech HS. This is outside the office of SRO’s Joe Comegna who authorities say fatally shot himself in his office Monday. pic.twitter.com/aXsHMryg97
— George Solis (@GeorgeSolisWJZ) November 14, 2018

RELATED: School Resource Officer Fatally Shot Self At Eastern Tech

Here are some of the memories people shared on Officer Comegna's tribute wall, hosted by Schimunek Funeral Home.

"He always said something funny to make everyone laugh. Even if you didn't want to laugh, hearing him laugh would cause you to laugh too. He gave great advice and was always willing to help."

"He was such a friendly, and helpful guy."

"Joe was the nicest person, always had a smile on his face, and a great family man."

"He was always friendly and had a great smile."

Image via Shutterstock.