Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Tamburro was shot and killed when he attempted to intervene in a robbery of a liquor store. Detective Tamburro was off-duty and talking with the manager of the store when a gunman entered and announced a robbery. The suspect had taken $50 from the manager, when Detective Tamburro reached for his service weapon. The suspect opened fire, killing Detective Tamburro. A few days before the 28-year-old suspect shot Detective Tamburro he was released from prison after serving 10 years for armed robbery. He was apprehended in Chicago by Chicago Police on October 17, 1979. Another man who was the get-away driver was also arrested. The suspect pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Detective Tamburro had served with the Essex County Sheriff's Department for 9 years. He was survived by his wife and three children. He had two brothers who were Essex County Deputies.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-92434E22- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Tamburro gave the Essex County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Tamburro.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective John Tamburro 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Essex County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 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. John Tamburro's cause is highlighted.
How John Tamburro Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Tamburro is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Tamburro was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Essex County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
