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Incident
Watchman French was shot and killed by a suspect he had arrested earlier in the night for being drunk in public and creating a disturbance in a pool hall. After being taken to the jail the suspect apologized and asked to go home to go to sleep. The officers released the man, who went home, grabbed his double-barrel shotgun, and returned to the downtown district. The suspect located Watchman French and shot him twice in the back. The suspect fled the scene after the murder. He was never apprehended.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Night Watchman French served with the Kingsburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kingsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Night Watchman French.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fred is the only officer of Kingsburg Police Department remembered here.
Fred is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Fred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fred 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 1916, 14 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 15.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Kingsburg Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 3.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
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