Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Overseas Weapon: Edged weapon; Knife Offender: Sentenced to 20+ years
Special Agent Terry Watson was stabbed to death in Bogota, Colombia, while on temporary duty in the country as part of a drug-smuggling investigation.
Agent Watson was in a taxi cab when he was attacked as part of a robbery scheme involving the taxi driver and several other subjects. Two subjects entered the taxi and stunned Agent Watson with a stun gun. As he attempted to defend himself a second subject stabbed him with a knife before fleeing.
A total of six subjects were arrested and charged under United States laws with the murder of an internationally protected person.
All six subjects were arrested and ultimately plead guilty. All were received sentences ranging from 20 years to 36 years in prison.
Agent Watson was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Drug Enforcement Administration for 13 years. He had previously served with the United States Marshals Service.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-FEEB27B9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. James 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.
Special Agent Watson gave the United States Department of Justice 13 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Terry Watson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Special Agent James Terry 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 TX, 1,460 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration, 18 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Terry Watson's cause is highlighted.
How James Terry Watson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Terry Watson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Terry Watson was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Military Service
James Terry Watson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Terry 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
37 officers from United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
