Awarded Highest and Most Prestigious Bravery Award
BOSTON — Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) and Representative Paul K. Frost (R-Auburn) welcomed the family and colleagues of fallen Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarentino, Jr. to the State House for the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony. Officer Tarentino was selected by a nominating committee for the highest level of recognition—the Medal of Honor.
Medal of Honor recipients include officers who demonstrate actions above and beyond the call of duty, exhibiting extraordinary bravery and courage in the face of extreme risk and certain and imminent danger to life or limb. Officer Tarentino was killed in the line of duty on May 22, 2016 during a routine traffic stop.
“Officer Tarentino’s spirit, and call to duty, will never be forgotten by the residents of the Town of Auburn, his hometown of Leicester, and the residents of the Commonwealth,” said Senator Moore. “Our men and women in blue wake up, put on their uniform and are faced with the uncertainty of not knowing what each day will bring. Officer Tarentino is certainly deserving of this highest honor. My thoughts continue to be with his family and those who served alongside him.”
Senator Michael O. Moore with Trish Tarentino, the wife of the late Officer Ronald Tarentino, Jr.
Representative Frost commented, “Auburn Police Officer Ron Tarentino made the ultimate sacrifice in carrying out his duty to protect and serve the community. It is fitting Officer Tarentino received this award as sadly, Trooper George Hanna was also killed in the line of duty during a routine traffic stop in Auburn back in 1983. It is a heart-breaking coincidence which reminds us all of the dangers our men and women in blue put themselves in each and every day protecting us. We must also remember their families, who are proud of their service but truly never know if their loved one will come home each day.”
Auburn Police Officer Ron Tarentino, Jr.’s family received the award in his honor. Attending the ceremony with the Tarentino Family were Auburn Police Lieutenant Todd Lemon, Sergeant Scott Mills, and Officer Keith Chipman.
The Hanna Awards, which have been held annually since 1983, have become a symbol of prestige, within both the law enforcement community and the Commonwealth as a whole.
Auburn Police Det. Sgt. Scott Mills, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections and Auburn resident Thomas Turco, Father Jonathan Slavinskas, Auburn Police Officer Keith Chipman, Representative Paul K. Frost, Auburn Police Lt. Todd Lemon, and the Tarentino Family in the House of Representatives Chamber.