Franklin School Dedicates Tree In Memory Of Det. Tarentino

SUMMIT, NJ — The Franklin Elementary School PTO hosted a Tree Dedication Ceremony to honor the life of Summit Police Detective Matthew Tarentino with a plaque and tree that is planted by the reading garden outside of the school.

The plaque reads, “Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words, and missed beyond measure.”

Tarentino also ran the D.A.R.E program for several years at Franklin Elementary School.

The event on May 18 was attended by Summit Police Chief Robert Weck and the Summit Police force, Mayor Nora Radest, June Chang and members of the Summit Board of Ed, the Franklin PTO and Principal Dalia Mirrione.

Tarentino, 29, was tragically killed in a fatal three-car accident on Interstate 78 East in Bernards Township on May 30, 2017. Tarentino was married to Victoria and had two sons, Robert, 3, and Raymond, 2, and a third child due in August 2017. The former Somerville local moved to Summit where he had served as an officer since 2012.

• See Related: Fallen Summit Officer Remembered As A Man Of 'Incredible Strength And Honor'

(Images via Summit Schools)

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