John P Tate III

John Tate ObituaryVisit the Oliverie Funeral Home - Manchester website to view the full obituary.John P Tate III 69 of Manchester died February 28, 2026. Born in Queens, NY he resided in Toms River for 31 years before moving to Manchester 5 years ago. Lt. John Tate began his law enforcement career in Seaside Heights as a Special Police Officer in May of 1978. In Sept of 1980, he was made provisional and completed the Ocean County Police Academy in Apr of 1981. Lt. Tate was made Sergeant in May of 1984 and Lieutenant February of 1996. Winner of numerous awards during his tenure at Seaside Heights, including: MOCIB Merit Award 1988, Ocean's Harbor House Service Award 1995, Ocean's Harbor House Volunteer of the year 1995, JCPenny Golden Rule Award signed by President William Clinton 1995, MOCIB Honorable Service Award 1996, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Service Award 1997, Ocean County Emeralds Society Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 1997, Meritorious Proclamation from the State Senate and Assembly in 1997 for his part in a cold case homicide investigation from 1968, Seaside Heights Police 13 Commendations and Seaside Heights Police Service Award 2002. He also is a two-time winner of the Princeton State PBA Bench press championship with his best lift at 430 pounds. Lt. Tate retired from Seaside Heights in November of 2003.Lt. Tate then accepted the position of Recruit Training Coordinator at the Ocean County Police Academy in July of 2005. Lt. Tate still holds this position and has graduated recruits from across the state of New Jersey.Lt. Tate is a graduate of North Bergen High School in 1974. Here he played tight-end for the 2-time State Champion Football teams in 1972 & 1973. After high school, Lt. Tate attended Kean University for two years, before moving to Toms River, New Jersey. Lt. Tate received his associate's degree in social science from Ocean County College in Toms River, New Jersey and then his bachelor's degree in social science from Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, New Jersey. He maintained his 4.00 GPA while working full time. Lt. Tate has completed his master's in justice administration at the University of the Cumberland's in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where he graduated with a 3.89 GPA.He volunteered at Grace & Peace Church in Toms River and fingerprinted anyone working with children. He was the Co-Chaplain for the Seaside Heights Police Dept and helped with the Toys for Tots Campaign.John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna M Tate, his children Cristy (Tate) Olivieri, her husband Adam Olivieri, son Jesse Tate and girlfriend Cassidy Orban, Daughter Laurén (Tate) DiStefano and husband Gregory DiStefano, his siblings, Stephen Tate (Dawn Tate), Gloria Cathall (Ralph Cathall) and Tanya Kenney (James Kenney). John was blessed with his first grandchild, Emiliana Vittoria Olivieri in June of 2024, who recently gave him the name "Poppy". He had a large family of nieces and nephews and in-laws who he loved dearly. Family was the most important thing to John. He cherished his Law enforcement family as well and touched numerous lives through his time as a Police officer and at the Police Academy.Visitation is Thursday March 5 from 10am-8pm, with a 6:30 pm prayer service at Grace and Peace Church, 1563 Old Freehold Rd, Toms River, NJ 08755. Funeral Services are Friday 10:30 am also at the Grace & Peace Church. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the church at http://graceandpeace.org/give or a check can be given in memory of John Tate and mailed directly to the church.Read The Full ObituaryTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.