Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Watts and Detective Sergeant John Tsolis of the Highland Park Police Department were shot as they executed a narcotics search warrant at the home of the suspect at 13145 Appoline Street in Detroit. At 6:30 a.m., two Highland Park Police officers and three Detroit Police officers arrived at the house and arrested two men. When Detective Tsolis and Officer Watts opened the door to a bedroom, the suspect, who was hiding in a closet on the second floor, began firing with two guns. Detective Tsolis was killed instantly, and Officer Watts suffered wounds in his arm and chest. He was able to return fire but did not wound the suspect. Detective Tsolis died of his wounds at the scene. Officer Watts succumbed to his wounds on March 15th, 1975. The suspect pleaded guilty to the murder of Detective Tsolis and was sentenced to 10-20 years. Another suspect was convicted of possession of narcotics and sentenced to five years. Officer Watts had served with the Detroit Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, child, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-5E78C3CB- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Watts gave the Detroit Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Watts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James B. Watts 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 MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Detroit Police Department, 177 of 250 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James B. Watts's cause is highlighted.
How James B. Watts Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James B. Watts is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James B. Watts was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
