Police Officer John Thomas Burlinson

John Thomas Burlinson

Officer Burlinson was killed when his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver at SW 16th Avenue and SW 7th Street at 0355 hours. The drunk driver ran a stop sign and struck the rear of his patrol car, causing it to go out of control. The patrol car struck a palm tree and Officer Burlinson was thrown from the vehicle.

The 44-year-old driver was charged with drunk driving and running a stop sign but only convicted of running a stop sign and sentenced to three months in jail and fined $150.00.

Officer Burlinson was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. He had been in law enforcement for four years and was survived by his wife and two children.