Matthew Tarentino was a police officer in Summit, New Jersey.

Tarentino is a graduate of Immaculata High School (New Jersey).

Tarentino was known for teaching Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program at Summit elementary school. He was known and beloved by the children. He also chaperoned children on school trips to Washington, D.C.

Tarentino spent time at the Summit YMCA teaching pre-K and kindergarten students about bike and pool safety, as well as stranger danger.

He read to other kids on a day celebrating Dr. Seuss, and even dressed the part.

Tarentino recently spoke to students as part of Community Helper Day.

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Tarentino is married to Vickie Tarentino.

They have two children, plus his wife is pregnant with a child.

Tarentino was killed in a highway car accident in May 2017.

The crash was at 6:20 a.m. on Route 78 in Bernards.

Tarentino was driving to work when a westbound car crossed over the median and hit two eastbound vehicles.

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