Prev
Incident
Detective Matthew Tarentino was killed in a vehicle crash while en route to make a presentation at a local church.
Another vehicle crossed the median and struck his patrol car head-on on I-78, near Liberty Corner Road.
Detective Tarentino had served in law enforcement for 6-1/2 years. He had previously served with the South Bound Brook Police Department and Rutgers University Police Department. He was survived by his expectant wife and two sons. His daughter was born after his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnz6wyyzp6z6491yd4fh- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Matthew. 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.
Detective Tarentino gave the Summit Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Summit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Tarentino.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Matthew is the only officer of Summit Police Department remembered here.
Matthew is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2017, 1 officer in NJ was lost to accidents, the 65th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 2017, 57 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2017, 60 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 91st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Matthew was 29. Of the 232 lost to accidents in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 41.3; the middle age was 33.5. Matthew had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Matthew had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Matthew had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Summit Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Summit Police Department are honored on badge.nw.