Roll of Honor
John Watson
Incident
On Saturday, April 30, 1921, Federal Prohibition Agent John Watson and and another agent were returning to El Paso, Texas, from Anthony, New Mexico, when they offered assistance to stalled motorists. Agent Watson discovered a load of liquor in one of the cars and a gun fight erupted when he ordered the men arrested. Agent Watson was hit in the left lung while the other agent was hit in both arms and the chin. Officers found a blood trail indicating at least one of the bootleggers was wounded. Empty rifle, shotgun and pistols shells were found at the scene. Agent Waton's wife and sister-in-law stayed with him until he died on Monday, May 2, 1921 at 5:30 a.m. Agent Watson was a former Army captain and his body received a military honor guard to the train station. His wife and brother accompanied the body to Lebanon, Missouri, for burial. Five men were apprehended and charged with Agent Watson's murder. He was the fourth prohibition agent killed in 1921 in El Paso area.
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
Federal Prohibition Agent Watson served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
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
John Watson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Federal Prohibition Agent John Watson 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit, 47 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 79.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Watson's cause is highlighted.
How John Watson Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Watson is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Watson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
