CHARLTON, Mass. (WHDH) — Hundreds came together Thursday to honor the Auburn police officer killed in the line of duty earlier this week, and Friday they will say their final farewells.
Family, friends and colleagues attended a wake for Officer Ronald Tarentino. Police officers and firefighters from all across New England and beyond also lined up to enter St. Joseph’s Church in Charlton where they paid respect to the Tarentino family.
“I think it’s a tremendous show of respect for Ron and who he was,” said Auburn Fire Chief Stephen Coleman. “He was a great guy, outstanding police officer.”
Tarentino was shot and killed over the weekend during a traffic stop in Auburn. The suspect, Jorge Zambrano, fled and was killed in a shootout with police hours later.
Tarentino leaves behind a wife and three sons. Before joining the Auburn Police Department, he was an officer in Leicester for seven years.
Among those paying respects were members of the past and present Leicester High School football team. Tarentino’s son played for that team. Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito also attended and met with Tarentino’s family.
“Let’s figure out what happened,” said Baker. “If there were things we can do to minimize this kind of thing going forward, we should do that.”
A funeral will be held on Friday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church and he will be laid to rest at Greenville Baptist Church Cemetery in the Rochdale section of Leicester.
A family member is giving the eulogy, and his sons are also expected to speak.
State Police troopers are picking up shifts for Auburn Police Officers to make sure that all members of the Auburn Police Department are able to attend the funeral.
To contribute to Officer Tarentino’s Memorial Fund:
Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr Memorial Fund
C/O Savers Bank
38 Auburn Street
Auburn, MA 01501
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