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Leicester Police Post Tribute To Slain Auburn Officer Ronald Tarentino

LEICESTER (CBS) -- Leicester Police posted a tribute Wednesday to the Auburn Police officer killed Sunday morning, calling him " a friend to all of us and someone who always made your day better."

Officer Ronald Tarentino served for seven years with the Leicester Police Department before transferring to the Auburn Police Department, where he served for the last two years. He was shot and killed during a traffic stop early Sunday by Jorge Zambrano, who was killed by police after an exchange of gunfire later that evening.

Read: Auburn Police Start Memorial Fund For Slain Officer's Family

Officer Ronald Tarentino
Officer Ronald Tarentino. (Photo credit: Auburn Police Department)

"Ron was a dedicated and professional police officer who strongly believed in public safety and public service," the post on the Leicester Police Department's Facebook page reads. "His job performance reflected that commitment. Ron served with the Leicester Police Department for seven (7) years before he transferred to Auburn PD. No matter where Ron was serving, he always made a positive impact on the department and the community."

Members of the department said in the post that they believed Tarentino's death prevented another violent crime from happening to someone else, and that it was in keeping with his dedication to "the greater good."

More: Billboards Honor Slain Auburn Officer Ronald Tarentino

"All of us know Ron as a dedicated husband, father, son, colleague, friend, and much more," reads the post. "Many members of the LPD were involved in activities outside of the police department with Ron and will be constantly reminded of his absence beyond the work place."

"We will also greatly miss his constant smile and infectious laugh."

More: Auburn High School Baseball Team Honors Police Officer Ronald Tarentino

The department said that anyone wishing to honor Tarentino's memory can do so "by simply remembering that thousands of police officers go out and do a difficult job the best that they can every day."

"Ron was one of those officers, so in his memory support a police officer today, tomorrow, next month, next year and in the years to come," reads the post.

Reflections / Memories of Ron During this statement you will hear the LPD refer to Ron as a friend and colleague. This...

Posted by Leicester Police Department on Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Leicester Police also thanked other law enforcement agencies that helped escort Officer Tarentino's body Sunday, and wished for a speedy recovery for the Mass. State Trooper shot by Zambrano Sunday night in Oxford.

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