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Incident
Officer John Watson was shot and killed after locating a vehicle wanted by the Alaska State Troopers.
At 7:41 pm, the troopers had asked for assistance in locating a newer silver Ford Excursion. A citizen had reported to the troopers that the suspect and a 21-year-old female had left her residence in a Ford Excursion and that the subject appeared intoxicated and agitated. The troopers were attempting to locate the vehicle in order to conduct a welfare check.
Officer Watson went to the home of the subject but was unable to locate the truck. At 8:16 pm, Officer Watson reported that he had just seen a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle driving past him. He turned around and stopped the vehicle in the driveway at a residence on Watergate Way. Officer Watson allowed the female companion to exit the vehicle in order to take two dogs into the house.
During the stop, the suspect acted aggressively toward Officer Watson, and a struggle ensued as Officer Watson attempted to arrest the man. At some point during the struggle, the suspect was able to obtain Officer Watson's service weapon, a Glock 21, .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun. The suspect fired two shots, one of which struck Officer Watson in the back and was deflected by his bullet-resistant vest. The second shot struck Officer Watson in the back of the head, killing him.
The suspect then walked into the residence, where his female companion took the gun from him and put it in the bedroom.
When backup officers arrived, the female came to the door and ran from the residence unharmed, but the suspect refused to surrender. After a short stand-off, the suspect surrendered to officers at 1:07 am. He was convicted of first-degree murder and assault on June 3, 2005, and sentenced to 101 years.
Officer Watson was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Kenai Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, children, mother, two brothers, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Watson gave the Kenai Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kenai community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Patrick Watson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Kenai Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 35 officers killed feloniously in AK, 70% of the 50 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 1 officer in AK was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 2.
In 2003, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2003, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 43. Of the 34 killed feloniously in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41.8; the middle age was 34.5. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 43. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 5.7% of these deaths in AK; January holds the most, 17.1%. Thursdays: 25.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Kenai Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 50 deaths in AK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
John Patrick Watson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Patrick Watson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Kenai Police Department are honored on badge.nw.