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James Ronco
Police Officer

James Ronco

Tampa Police Dept. — Tampa, FL
Felonious
United States flag Florida flag
End of Watch May 27, 1916
Age 34
The Vigil Panel 31 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 28

Incident

Officer Ronco was shot and killed by a female prisoner who had just escaped from the police station. While he was transporting her back to jail she grabbed his gun and shot him twice. He was able to regain control of the weapon and shot and killed the suspect as well. It was determined that the suspect was under the influence of heroin and cocaine.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-498D063C
Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Ronco served with the Tampa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tampa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ronco.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Tampa Police Dept.
Location Tampa, FL
Platform Identity tpd.hillsborough.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 27, 1916
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Shot and killed

Police Officer James Ronco 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Tampa Police Dept., 21 of 29 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.4% of this agency's fallen.

Tampa Police Dept.
21
of 29 officers
72.4% Felonious
FL — Statewide
539
of 1,008 officers
53.5% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Ronco's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How James Ronco Compares

Age at End of Watch
34
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Ronco is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Ronco was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518