Donation site created to support the family in this time of need
SUMMIT, N.J., Wednesday, May 31, 2017 – The Summit Police Department and the entire city of Summit lost a valued officer, community member and friend. This loss has greatly affected not only our law enforcement community and the citizens of Summit, but countless people far and wide. Officer Matthew Tarentino epitomized what a law enforcement officer should be: a respected, trusted colleague with unwavering dedication and enthusiasm for his calling.
Officer Tarentino was the face of the department’s community policing unit and understood the importance of building relationships within Summit, most recently serving as Summit’s DARE officer. During his time with the Summit Police Department, Matt created a lasting imprint on the department and the city as well as the children of Summit. While Officer Matthew Tarentino may be gone, he will never be forgotten.
The Summit PAL with support from the Summit Police Department, the City of Summit and the entire Summit community has created a donation site to help support the family in this time of need and ensure that Officer Tarentino’s legacy is never diminished. Officer Tarentino leaves behind his wife Victoria, two sons, Robert and Raymond, ages two and four, and a third child due in August.
POSTHUMOUS PROMOTION OF OFFICER MATTHEW TARENTINO
On Wednesday, May 31, 2017, Summit Police Chief Robert Weck announced the posthumous promotion of Officer Matthew Tarentino to the rank of detective, effective immediately. Detective Tarentino, 29, had served five years in the police department before being killed in a motor vehicle collision early Tuesday morning.
Tarentino was part of the police department Community Policing Unit and considered instrumental in establishing and managing a notable number of programs and partnerships with Summit public and private schools, community organizations and within city departments.
“Matt was an exceptional police officer and fully deserving of this honor,” explains Summit Police Chief Robert Weck. “He was highly respected within our department and throughout the Summit community. His legacy is one of strong community connections and balanced, enthusiastic outreach. While he may be gone, he will never be forgotten, and his family will always be part of ours.”
For more information on the Summit Police Department and the many significant accomplishments of Detective Matthew Tarentino, go to cityofsummit.org/police.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
The viewing will be held on Sunday, June 4 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on 35 Mountain Avenue in Somerville, New Jersey.
A funeral mass will be held at the same location on Monday, June 5 at 10AM.
Following the mass, a graveside service will be held at Resurrection Cemetery on 899 East Lincoln Avenue in Piscataway, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, a donation site for the Tarentino family has been established by the Summit PAL
HOW TO DONATE
Checks can be mailed made payable to: Summit PAL, 512 Springfield Ave., Summit, NJ 07901 Include a note stating that it’s for the Tarentino family and 100% will be given to the family. Or donate online at:
www.youcaring.com/victoriatarentino-835682
