Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Friday, May 23, 1975
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 4908
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 23, 1975
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Trumbette was shot and killed while responding to a silent alarm in a warehouse. As he entered the building the suspect, who was hiding in the rafters overhead, jumped down onto him. The suspect then gained control of Officer Trumbette's weapon and shot him. Another officer critically wounded the suspect as he shot him three times.
The 26-year-old suspect, with a long criminal record, mostly burglaries, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death in August of 1976. His sentence was later commuted to life.
Officer Trumbette served with the Philadelphia Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, son, and parents.