Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Watts was shot and killed while attempting to raid a still. The suspect had previously threatened to kill anyone who attempted to arrest him. The suspect fled but was later found hiding in a field. He was convicted of Sheriff Watts' murder and was hanged on June 27, 1919.
Survivors
Sheriff Watts was survived by his wife, two children, and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-1F36A152- 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.
Sheriff Watts served with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tuscaloosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Watts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Palmer Morrison 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 63 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Palmer Morrison Watts's cause is highlighted.
How Palmer Morrison Watts Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Palmer Morrison Watts is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Palmer Morrison Watts was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
