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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Cleo Platt was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest of two burglary suspects at 2:00 am. He and his wife were walking home in the downtown area when he stopped to assist a motorist. When he noticed stolen items from a local store in the vehicle he sent his wife home and then attempted to arrest the two men. During the arrest he was shot in the shoulder and abdomen. Both subjects, ages 21 and 22, were arrested and sentenced to life at hard labor. One was paroled on January 1, 1950. Four months later he was killed in a motorcycle accident. Deputy Platt had served with the Eaton County Sheriff's Department for 14 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Platt gave the Eaton County Sheriff's Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Charlotte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Platt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Eaton County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Cleo is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Cleo is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cleo is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 7 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cleo was 38. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Cleo had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Cleo was 38. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Cleo had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cleo was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cleo had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MI, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Eaton County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Eaton County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Cleo among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Eaton County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
