Roll of Honor
Charles H. Watson
Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff Charlie Watson was shot and killed, and Special Deputy Sheriff Allen Dean was fatally wounded, in a gun battle with two moonshiners at the Culberson Bridge on the Nottely River.
A third deputy was seriously wounded, and Deputy Dean died two days later.
The suspects, thought to have been shot and seriously wounded, escaped. The men were apprehended in Texas six months later. Both were convicted of second-degree murder. One suspect was sentenced to seven years and the other to six years.
Deputy Watson was a United States Army WWI veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-059C1F56- 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 Charles. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Charles 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 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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Watson served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Murphy 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
Charles H. Watson served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Special Deputy Sheriff Charles H. Watson is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles H. Watson's cause is highlighted.
How Charles H. Watson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles H. Watson is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles H. Watson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Military Service
Charles H. Watson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Charles H. Watson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
