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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
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- 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 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Martinez Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 18 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 29. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Thomas was 29. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Martinez Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Martinez Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Martinez Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
