Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Ronald Tarentino was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop on Rochdale Street, near Zabelle Avenue, at approximately 12:30 am.
An occupant of the vehicle opened fire on him during as he approached the car, striking him multiple times. He was transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds.
The subject who shot him fled the scene, but was later located at an Oxford apartment building. As officers searched the apartment he was believed to have been hiding in they discovered a secret passage into an adjoining apartment. When the officers made entry into the second apartment the subject exited a closet and opened fire, wounding one Massachusetts State Police tactical team trooper before being killed.
Officer Tarentino had served with the Auburn Police Department for two years and had previously served with the Leicester Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-054A074B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Tarentino gave the Auburn Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Auburn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Tarentino.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 42.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Auburn Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald Tarentino Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Ronald Tarentino Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald Tarentino Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald Tarentino Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Auburn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
