Officer Ronald Tsugio Tsukamoto

Ronald Tsugio Tsukamoto

Officer Ronald Tsukamoto was shot and killed while talking with a motorist he had stopped on University Avenue.

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.