U.S. Marine Corps · United States 
Cleo Leon Tomlinson
1981
Cleo L. Tomlinson Jr. served the U.S. Marine Corps for 6 years. Cleo served in the Vietnam War and the Cold War.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Corporal Cleo Tomlinson, Trooper Robert Pruitt, and Trooper Merle Cook were killed in an airplane accident while searching for two break-and-enter suspects in St. John's County. The suspects were charged with three counts of homicide in connection with the deaths of all three troopers. The primary burglary suspect was convicted of burglary and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released only to be sentenced to 6 years for cocaine sale in October of 2010 and he currently resides in the Florida State Prison System. Corporal Tomlinson had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 19 years.
Service Record
U.S. Marine Corps
1956 – 1962
Conflicts
Vietnam War
Cold War
Also Served
Florida Highway Patrol
Corporal
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpsstfxz5kzag17t73s6
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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