Funeral arrangements set for fallen Auburn police officer

AUBURN, MASS. (WHDH) - Funeral arrangements for fallen Auburn Police Officer Ron Tarentino were announced Monday, with a wake to be held Thursday and a funeral on Friday.

Tarentino, 42, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Auburn early Sunday morning. Police said Jorge Zambrano drove off after shooting Tarentino and hid in an apartment in Oxford.

Hours later, police said they went inside the apartment after Zambrano refused to surrender to SWAT teams during a standoff. Zambrano was found hiding in a closet and police said he unleashed a pit bull on them before opening fire. Zambrano was killed during the shootout that followed. A State trooper was also injured in the shootout and is expected to be OK.

Sources said the gun Zambrano used in the shootout was the same gun used to kill Tarentino.

Zambrano has an extensive criminal history and was sent to prison back in 2011 for cocaine trafficking. Court records also show a history of violence against law enforcement. Back in January, Zambrano was arrested for allegedly grabbing a police officer during a traffic stop. During the incident, Zambrano allegedly had a large pit bull in the backseat of his car. According to court records, Zambrano had also been arrested back in 2007 for allegedly punching and trying to stab a police officer.

Residents stopped by the Auburn Police Department throughout the day Monday to leave flowers, flags and messages in Tarentino’s memory. On Monday afternoon, the MassDOT also announced that the Worcester-Shrewsbury Burns Bridge will be lit up in blue to honor Officer Tarentino.

“It’s beautiful to see the way this community has come out to show their support and love for them,” said Police Chaplain Fr. Jonathan Slavinskas.

Tarentino’s wake will be held on Thursday, May 26 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Charlton. His funeral will be held at St. Joseph’s Church on Friday, May 27 at 11 a.m. He will then be laid to rest at the Greenville Baptist Church Cemetery in the Rochdale section of Leicester.

The Holland Police Department announced Monday they teamed up with the Auburn Police Department to create T-shirts in Tarentino’s memory, the proceeds of which will go to the fund set up for Tarentino’s family.

Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr. Memorial Fund
C/O Savers Bank
38 Auburn Street
Auburn, MA 01501

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