'An unbelievable good kid' killed in Afghanistan Todd Lobraico, a 2008 graduate of New Fairfield High School, killed in Afghanistan

The flag is at half-staff at the home of the father of Todd Lobraico, a US soldier who was killed in Afghanistan, in Sherman, Conn. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. The flag is at half-staff at the home of the father of Todd Lobraico, a US soldier who was killed in Afghanistan, in Sherman, Conn. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. Photo: Tyler Sizemore Photo: Tyler Sizemore Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close 'An unbelievable good kid' killed in Afghanistan 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Nanci G. Hutson

and John Nickerson

At the Lobraico family home in Sherman on Friday afternoon, an American flag was flying at half-staff. Cars were lined up off the long driveway leading to the white-siding house. Friends and family quietly talked, hugging occasionally.

Once again, war had come home to Connecticut.

Staff Sgt. Todd James "T.J." Lobraico, a member of the New York Air National Guard and a 2008 graduate of New Fairfield High School, was killed in action Thursday in Afghanistan, the governor's office announced. He was 22.

Lobraico's father, Todd, an officer with the Stamford Police Department and an Air Force veteran who served in the first Persian Gulf War, was notified early Friday morning.

The Lobraico family is well-known in Sherman and in New Fairfield, where T.J. Lobraico grew up.

At an automotive shop where Lobraico had worked after graduation, the owner said the young man had hoped to become a police officer and that joining the military was a first step toward that goal.

"We're all really sad here today," said Tom Hicks, who owns Gil's Auto and Truck Repair. "He was just an overall good kid, an unbelievable kid."

Lobraico was remembered Friday as "always happy," confident and smart.

"He always liked to have fun. He was pretty much always in a good mood," said Joe Pacheco, a cousin who also lives in New Fairfield. "His English mastiff, Gus, and his tricked-out car, Subaru STI, were his pride and joy."

"We pretty much just grew up together. We'd have family parties every year, and he's who I would remember the most," Pacheco said.

Being in the military was something Lobraico always wanted to do, and he enlisted right after high school, Pacheco said.

"He wanted to do it career-wise, and to keep a little family tradition going," his cousin said.

The Facebook pages of Lobraico family members were flooded with condolences. Just about everyone in New Fairfield and Sherman seemed to know the family or know someone who did.

"What a wonderful family," said New Milford Probate Judge Marty Landgrebe, who did not know T.J. but knows his mother, Linda Rohatsch.

"God bless them."

T.J.'s mother and his stepfather, Dr. R. Robert Rohatsch, live in New Fairfield.

Arrangements were being made to bring Lobraico's body home from Afghanistan, Stamford Police Chief Jon Fontneau said.

The towns of Sherman and New Fairfield will hold a joint candlelight vigil Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Center in New Fairfield to honor Lobraico's memory, said New Fairfield First Selectman Susan Chapman. It will precede the town's 9/11 memorial ceremony.

A fellow airman who served with T.J. and was sent home early because of a combat injury, said he "couldn't have known a better individual my age."

"T.J. was a determined and awesome kid, everyone loved him and will miss him. I'd trade in all my medals to go back and trade places with him, that's how much I respected and loved him," Matthew Travis Zuniga told Hearst Connecticut Newspapers in an email Friday.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ordered Connecticut and U.S. flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Lobraico.

"The loss of this brave young man is a sad reminder that hundreds of Connecticut military men and women are still in danger overseas even as our involvement in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan approach a conclusion," said Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman on Friday. "I hope that all Connecticut residents take a moment to recognize the sacrifice in defense of our freedom made by Airman Lobraico and the other 64 heroes from our state lost in battle since Sept. 11, 2001."

The New York Air National Guard said Lobraico, who was on his second overseas deployment, died Thursday as a result of wounds sustained when his unit near Bagram Airfield was attacked with small arms fire.

Stamford Police Chief Fontneau said Friday that he had just returned from visiting the Lobraico family and that family members were "crushed" and in a state of shock after being notified of T.J.'s death.

"On a personal level, I can fully understand what Todd and his family are going through. As for the Stamford police family, we are devastated seeing the loss to Todd's family and the loss to the United States," Fontneau said.

"Honestly, my heart is broken for them," said a Lobraico cousin, Lisa Weir.

Lobraico also has a grandmother, Dianne Lobraico of Sherman and a sister, Jessika Lobraico.

Staff reporter Robert Miller contributed to this report.