Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Thomas Tarantino was shot and killed after encountering the driver of a disabled vehicle in the median of Highway 4. When Officer Tarantino attempted to arrest the driver for having a concealed .22 caliber pistol, the suspect resisted. He gained control of Officer Tarantino's service revolver and shot him four times. Officer Tarantino had just finished the day shift and was returning to the station when the incident occurred. A state trooper who just happened to pass by saw Officer Tarantino lying on the ground and apprehended his killer. The suspect, 29, a convicted felon recently paroled for a 1965 manslaughter conviction, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on April 1, 1974. He was denied parole on December 3, 2019. His next parole hearing is on January 4, 2023. Officer Tarantino was the first officer killed in the line of duty serving with the Martinez Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-48B97442- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Tarantino served with the Martinez Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Martinez community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Tarantino.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thomas George Tarantino is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Martinez Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas George Tarantino's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas George Tarantino Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas George Tarantino is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas George Tarantino was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Martinez Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
