Prev
Johnnie Bidwell Watts
Incident
Deputy Watts was killed in an accident when his car collided with another car operated by a 50-year-old man who was critically injured. He was charged with manslaughter by culpable negligence.
Survivors
Deputy Watts had served with the Forrest County Sheriff's Office for 3 months and was survived by his two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtptg2n3jgaj8g53jf028- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Johnnie. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Johnnie is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Watts served with the Forrest County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hattiesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Watts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Johnnie Bidwell Watts served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Forrest County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Johnnie is one of 89 officers lost to accidents in MS, 25.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Johnnie is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Johnnie is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer in MS was lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 64 years on record. The heaviest was 1989, with 4.
In 1976, 59 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1976, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Johnnie was 47. Of the 83 lost to accidents in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 52; the middle age was 43. Johnnie had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Johnnie was 47. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Johnnie had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Johnnie was 47. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Johnnie had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.2% of these deaths in MS; May holds the most, 16.9%. Wednesdays: 13.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Forrest County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 25.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Forrest County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Johnnie among them.
Military Service
Johnnie Bidwell Watts served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Johnnie Bidwell Watts’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 58-E
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Forrest County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
