Summit, NJ Fallen Officer Matthew Tarentino

In a tragic accident on Tuesday May 30, 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. Matthew Tarentino epitomized what a law enforcement officer should be: a respected, trusted colleague with unwavering dedication and enthusiasm for his calling.
“My entire family on my mothers side is somehow involved in law enforcement,” Officer Tarentino told a recent interviewer. “From a young age, I thought ‘ah’ that’s an honorable job. A job that will let me go out and help other people – and not just help other people – but help build a strong community bond with the people who live in the town.”
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 coming days, weeks and months will undoubtedly be difficult for all of us. We ask for support from the community for his wife Victoria, their two sons, Robert (3) and Raymond (2) and a third child due in August.
On behalf of the Summit P.A.L., the Summit Police Department, the City of Summit and the entire Summit community, we are asking for donations to help support the family in this time of need and ensure that Officer Tarentino’s legacy is never diminished.