Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Watkins was shot and killed after arresting a man wanted for robbery in Mounds, Illinois.
Officer Watkins recognized the man and arrested him at the intersection of 21st Street and Poplar Street. He was escorting the man to jail and was approaching 16th Street when the man suddenly produced a handgun and shot Officer Watkins twice, fatally wounding him.
The suspect, known as the "Texas Kid", escaped in a horse and buggy he forcibly took from a couple.
Officer Watkins had served with the Cairo Police Department for eight months.
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BO-US-IL-9B93A450- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Watkins served with the Cairo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cairo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Watkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James H. Watkins 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cairo Police Department, 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. James H. Watkins's cause is highlighted.
How James H. Watkins Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James H. Watkins is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cairo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
