Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Ronald Trumbette was shot and killed while responding to a silent alarm in a warehouse at the New York Extract Company at 914 South Fifth Street in Philadelphia. As he entered the building, the suspect, who was hiding in the rafters overhead, jumped down onto him. The suspect then gained control of Officer Trumbette's weapon and shot him. Another officer critically wounded the suspect as he shot him three times. The 26-year-old suspect, with a long criminal record, mostly burglaries, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in August of 1976. His sentence was later commuted to life. Officer Trumbette served with the Philadelphia Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-DB88C255- 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 Trumbette gave the Philadelphia Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Trumbette.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Ronald Lee Trumbette 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald Lee Trumbette's cause is highlighted.
How Ronald Lee Trumbette Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald Lee Trumbette is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald Lee Trumbette was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
