- Date Of Birth: October 24, 1934
- Date Of Death: January 10, 2019
- State: New Jersey
Louis H. Taranto Sr., Lt Col NJ State Police Ret., 84, of the Holiday City Carefree section of Berkeley Township died on Thursday, January 10, 2019. Born in East Rutherford, NJ, the youngest of three children born to John and Fannie Taranto, he has been a longtime resident of the Toms River area. Lou proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1958, he enlisted in the New Jersey State Police. He served at Troop C road stations, mostly notably in Howell, where he was a well-known station detective, with a skill for investigating and apprehending numerous murderers, arsonists and B&E men.
He was a founder of the State Police Arson Unit and also served in the Major Crimes Unit where he was instrumental in the successful prosecution of the murderer of Trooper Werner Foerster and her terrorist confederates. He was the Bureau Chief of the Internal Affairs Bureau, the Investigations Section supervisor with the rank of Major before rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, from which he retired. He received law enforcement awards too numerous to recount, and throughout his 31 year State Police career, he was known as a superior leader and a “good Trooper,” the ultimate accolade. His acumen for police supervision led him to positions as Public Safety Director in Lodi, Lavallette, Beach Haven and Long Beach Township.
He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Lou was a member of the Former Troopers Association of the New Jersey State Police, from which he attained the honor of Former Trooper of the Year in 2009. He served as a Trustee on the Executive Board of the 200 Club of Ocean County. A diligent worker, he wasn’t crazy about retirement, but enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sporting events, socializing with his good friends from Toms River Fitness and watching the Yankees and N.Y. Giants. He was a giant among men and a New Jersey State Police legend. Surviving are his loving wife Elizabeth nee’ Olson, two sons, Louis Jr.,of Toms River and Glenn of Los Angeles, California. Also grieving are his grandson Louis III, and his wife Danielle, and granddaughter Lisa and her partner Andy Bree.
