Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Snuggs was shot and killed when he attempted to break up a brawl involving three brothers and several other men in front of the Norwood drug store. While trying to restore order one of the brothers shot him in his right side. After being shot, Chief Snuggs had to wait for a train to take him to the hospital. He succumbed to his wounds en route to the hospital. Six months earlier the suspect attacked Chief Snuggs with a beer bottle, while resisting arrest, severely wounding the Chief about the head. After his trial, the suspect told people he would get Chief Snuggs if he ever got the chance. The suspect was eventually arrested, convicted of Chief Snuggs' murder and sent to prison. Months later he escaped from prison by sliding down a storm drain to his freedom. He was never recaptured.
Survivors
Chief Snuggs was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-20FC4550- 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.
Chief of Police Snuggs served with the Norwood Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Norwood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Snuggs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Watt Gaston Snuggs 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Norwood Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Watt Gaston Snuggs's cause is highlighted.
How Watt Gaston Snuggs Compares
Offender Outcome
Escaped from prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Watt Gaston Snuggs is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Watt Gaston Snuggs was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Norwood Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
