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Incident
Officer Ronald Tsukamoto was shot and killed while talking with a motorist he had stopped at University Avenue and Jefferson Avenue at about 1:00 am. The officer had decided not to issue a citation to the motorist and while he continued talking to him, another male walked up and joined the conversation. Without provocation, the second man pulled out a handgun and shot Officer Tsukamoto in the eye. The shooter then fled to a waiting automobile and escaped. On May 25, 2004, a suspect in Officer Tsukamoto's murder was arrested, but was released after the Alameda County District Attorney decided there was not enough evidence to charge him. Officer Tsukamoto had served with the Berkeley Police Department for nine months.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Tsukamoto served with the Berkeley Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Berkeley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Tsukamoto.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Berkeley Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Ronald is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 24 officers in CA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ronald was 28. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Ronald had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 28. 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. Ronald had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ronald was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ronald had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Berkeley Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Berkeley Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ronald among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Berkeley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
