Cecil Williamson Watford

Columbia Police Dept. — Columbia, SC

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch July 1, 1957

Age 27

The Vigil Panel 92 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Policeman Cecil Watford succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day when he was shot during a struggle with a suspect in a home at the intersection of Heidt Street and Read Street. The suspect who was acting crazy attempted to throw hot water on his mother. He then shot and critically wounded his brother who had attempted to help Policeman Watford. The 30-year-old suspect, who was a suspect in another murder, refused to cooperate with police. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Policeman Watford had previously served with the United States Marine Corps. He is buried in Sawneys Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Fairfield County, South Carolina.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-SC-97F30120
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Cecil. Claim this record.

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 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.
Policeman Watford served with the Columbia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Columbia Police Dept.

Location Columbia, SC

Platform Identity cpd.richland.sc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 1, 1957

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Cecil Williamson Watford served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Policeman Cecil Williamson Watford is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Columbia Police Dept., 5 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Columbia Police Dept.

of 10 officers

50% Felonious

SC — Statewide

271

of 438 officers

61.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious