John Tamburro, 47, was a detective with the Essex County Sheriff’s Office for nine years. On Monday, October 1, 1979, while off duty and visiting a liquor store manager, a man entered and announced a robbery. After the robber took $50, Detective Tamburro reached for his service weapon to intervene. The suspect fired a .38 caliber handgun, fatally wounding Tamburro.

The assailant had been released from prison a few days earlier after serving a 10-year sentence for armed robbery. A 28-year-old suspect was apprehended in Chicago by the Chicago Police Department on October 17, 1979; a second man, described as the getaway driver, was also taken into custody. The primary suspect later pleaded guilty to murder and received a life sentence. Tamburro was survived by his wife and three children; two of his brothers served as Essex County deputies.

If anyone knew Detective Tamburro, witnessed the robbery, or has information about the events of that day, please share what is known.