Florida Highway Patrol, Florida
End of Watch Monday, July 13, 1981
Add to My HeroesRobert L. Pruitt
Trooper Robert Pruitt, Corporal Cleo Tomlinson, and Trooper Merle Cook were killed in an airplane accident while searching for two breaking and entering 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.
Trooper Pruitt had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 5 years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 37
- Tour 5 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
Related LODD Deaths
Trooper Merle J. Cook
Florida Highway Patrol, FL
EOW: July 13, 1981
Corporal Cleo L. Tomlinson, Jr.
Florida Highway Patrol, FL
EOW: July 13, 1981
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsRest in peace Trooper Pruitt.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 15, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
Undersheriff Stephen B. McLoud
Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: August 29, 2019
Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Voyles
Chickasaw County Sheriff's Department, MS
EOW: August 28, 2019
Lieutenant Robert Jones
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, NY
EOW: June 15, 2019
Detective Christopher Cranston
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 20, 2019
Police Officer Raymond Harris
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: August 4, 2019
Sergeant Jeffrey Cicora
New York State Police, NY
EOW: August 10, 2019
Trooper Moises Sanchez
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, TX
EOW: August 24, 2019
Deputy Sheriff Carlos Cammon
Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: August 23, 2019
Deputy Sheriff Jose Luis Blancarte
Kinney County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: August 23, 2019