John Tamburro, a 47-year-old male, was a detective with the Essex County Sheriff's Office for nine years. On Monday, October 1, 1979, he was off-duty and visiting with the manager of a liquor store when a man entered the establishment and announced a robbery.
After the gunman had taken $50 from the manager, Detective Tamburro, in an act of bravery, reached for his service weapon to intervene. Before he could fully react, the suspect opened fire with a. 38 caliber handgun, fatally wounding him. The assailant had been released from prison just a few days prior, after serving a 10-year sentence for armed robbery.
An investigation was launched, and the 28-year-old shooter was later apprehended in Chicago by the Chicago Police Department on October 17, 1979. A second man, who served as the get-away driver during the robbery, was also taken into custody. The primary suspect ultimately pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the death of Detective Tamburro. He was survived by his wife and three children. Two of his brothers also served as Essex County Deputies.
