Berkeley Police Department, California
End of Watch: Thursday, August 20, 1970
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 9 months
Badge Number: 41
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 20, 1970
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not charged by district attorney
Officer Ronald Tsukamoto was shot and killed while talking with a motorist he had stopped at University Avenue and Jefferson Avenue at about 1:00 am.
The officer had decided not to issue a citation to the motorist and while he continued talking to him, another male walked up and joined the conversation. Without provocation, the second man pulled out a handgun and shot Officer Tsukamoto in the eye. The shooter then fled to a waiting automobile and escaped.
On May 25, 2004, a suspect in Officer Tsukamoto's murder was arrested, but was released after the Alameda County District Attorney decided there was not enough evidence to charge him.
Officer Tsukamoto had served with the Berkeley Police Department for nine months.