Officer Ronald Tarentino, Jr. Charitable Fund

Ron grew up in Tewksbury, MA and was raised by parents Ronald Sr. and Sharon. He was the oldest of four children and the only boy. Just as any older brother would, Ron loved to tease his younger sisters, but it never interfered with him serving as their ultimate protector and role model in all aspects of life. Ron was always an active child with a variety of interests including cars, sports, the outdoors, and animals, all of which followed him into adulthood.

Before graduating from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1991, Ron became an All-Star and Co-Captain of the basketball team, a sport he loved. Ron stood at six foot four in high school, which gave him a distinct advantage over many of his peers and fellow athletes. Not only did he love the competition of high school basketball, but he played the sport as a way to connect with friends. During many summer nights as a teenager, Ron and his friends would often play basketball at the local park until the lights went out. Ron continued to play basketball throughout his life, whether for a police department charity event or in the local men’s league or coaching his sons.

After Ron had finished high school, he attended college for a time before working a few different jobs. During this time he met the woman that would become his wife, Trish. Together, Ron and Trish made the most amazing couple, always smiling, laughing, and teasing each other. They brought out the best in each other. Their life together was so full of love. They quickly became parents to three wonderful boys that have grown into such strong young men. Ron and Trish did an incredible job raising their three boys, making sure they have a strong work ethic and taught them useful skills that will stay with them forever and take them far. And even more importantly, they provided their boys with so much love that it will last beyond any of our lifetimes. Ron was an extraordinary father; it was something he was born to be. Much of him will always live on in his sons, as well as the nephews and nieces he so greatly influenced.

Ron had a heart of gold and a smile that could light up the room. He had the greatest personality and greatest sense of humor that no one will soon forget. He was always kind and welcoming to everyone he crossed paths with. His six foot four stature may have been intimidating to some, but he was nothing more than a pure gentle giant. He loved to make others laugh, and he loved a good laugh himself. His sisters would argue that they weren’t sure what he enjoyed more, making them laugh or cracking himself up (they think it would be safe to say the latter).

Becoming a Police Officer was something that Ron had always dreamed of and worked so hard for. His father, a Police Officer of 42 years, served as his role model and his inspiration for becoming a Police Officer himself. Ron had been trying to become a Police Officer ever since he graduated from high school. After moving to Leicester, MA with his wife and children, Ron finally got a chance at fulfilling his lifelong dream. At the age of 33, Ron started working at the Leicester Police Department in March of 2007 as a Reserve Police Officer, and attended the Part-Time Police Academy. A short time later, Ron was hired as a full time Officer and sent to the Boylston Regional Full Time Police Academy. While in the academy, Ron was selected by his classmates to be one of four squad leaders and Vice President of his class as well. He graduated from the Boylston Regional Full Time Police Academy in June of 2008. He spent many years patrolling the streets of Leicester before making the decision to transfer to the police department in the neighboring town of Auburn. Ron became a member of the Auburn Police Department in May of 2014 and easily fit right in with his new colleagues.

May 22, 2016 is a day that forever changed the lives of many. While working the overnight shift of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., Ron conducted a traffic stop that became fatal. Ron was Killed in the Line of Duty at the age of 42 and with 9 years of service to the towns of Leicester and Auburn.

Ron had an incredible work ethic, like his father, and always made family and friends a priority. Ron was an incredible Police Officer, one that any department would be proud to have on their roster. He had every quality that is desired in a great Police Officer such as courage, strength, integrity and compassion, just to name a few. It was what he was meant to do. He loved his job and it showed in the positive attitude he brought to work despite some of the hardships of the job. Giving back to his community was also very important to him. He has left a tremendous impact on both the communities he served and the officers he worked with.

In memory of our beloved friend, Police Officer Ronald Tarentino, Jr.