Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Deputy Edgardo “Eddie” Lucero loved to laugh.

“His laugh is something you could hear a mile away. He was the energy of the room,” said Deputy Brandon Bishop, who worked with Lucero in the civil process department for about five years.

Lucero’s death was unexpected.

He worked for the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office for 15 years, most recently as a corrections officer. He died in a car accident on his way home from work Thursday morning, hours after receiving his 15-year service pin, said sheriff’s office spokeswoman Kathy Hieatt.

Lucero spent a large part of his career in the civil process department, working as a liaison between the courts and Virginia Beach residents. He was responsible for serving court subpoenas, court documents, evictions and repossessions.

“We’re kind of like a close-knit family… we bonded so well, because we take care of each other,” Bishop said.

Lucero had recently returned to work at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center where he started his career years ago.

Deputies who knew Lucero said his death has shaken the department, leaving a void once filled with his infectious laughter.

“That laughter would just, it would fill up a room,” said Deputy Stephen Parker, who worked with Lucero for five years in the civil process department.

From coining phrases like “two pies, one guy,” to singing Patsy Cline on karaoke, Lucero connected with his colleagues in a unique way, turning friendships into family ties, said Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office clerk Rebecca Columbia.

His absence is felt by deputies throughout the sheriff’s office, many of whom were mentored by him when they started the job.

Bishop, who was trained by Lucero, said he was known to take younger officers under his wing. He taught them at a patient pace, making sure they didn’t learn too much at once.

Columbia worked with Lucero for 13 years and said she saw his confidence grow as a deputy.

“He was real good at passing it on to other deputies, making sure he led them in the most positive way,” Columbia said.

While Lucero’s laughter and leadership will forever be remembered, he also left behind countless pictures and selfies.

His desk was decorated with collages created from pictures he’d take while working.

Parker said he took several selfies with Lucero, most recently at a Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office training event about three weeks ago.

“Eddie liked pictures,” Parker said. “He would always joke that he had a selfie stick, and one day he actually brought it to work.”

Lucero had many passions, including his wife and three children, muscle cars, golf and keeping his yard immaculate, Parker said.

“He was very proud of what he did,” said Deputy Justine Gibbs, who knew Lucero for 9 years.

“He represented the sheriff’s office 100 percent of the time,” Columbia added.

Mayfield can be reached at 352-431-9612.

Belichis can be reached at justin@southsidedaily.com.