Roll of Honor
Samuel McDowell "Mack" Watts
Incident
Special Prohibition Officer Mack Watts was shot and killed while he and several officers with the Buena Vista Police Department raided a still in Wilmoth Hollow, just south of Buena Vista in Rockbridge County.
As they walked up a trail toward the still site they encountered the operators, a father and son, and called out to them. The men started to flee and the son fired a shotgun toward the officers. Officer Watts was struck by the blast and suffered fatal wounds.
The two subjects were arrested a short time later. The man who shot Officer Watts was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. A friend of the man was convicted of being an accessory and sentenced to three years.
Officer Watts had served as a fee officer for the Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement for several years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-6FBBE3B2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Prohibition Officer Watts gave the Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Richmond community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Prohibition Officer Watts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Prohibition Officer Samuel McDowell "Mack" Watts 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement, 8 of 8 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. Samuel McDowell "Mack" Watts's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel McDowell "Mack" Watts Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel McDowell "Mack" Watts is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel McDowell "Mack" Watts was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Virginia Department of Prohibition Enforcement are honored on badge.nw.
