Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal William Watts died after being stabbed in the chest by a suspect he was attempting to arrest for disturbing the peace. The suspect had held a grudge against Marshal Watts for a previous encounter the marshal had with the suspect's brother and had proclaimed he would kill the marshal if he ever attempted to arrest him.
On the day of Marshal Watts' murder, the suspect had become drunk and was walking on the village's streets professing his hatred of Marshal Watts. Marshal Watts appeared and attempted to arrest the man. The suspect, who was holding a pocket knife, stabbed Marshal Watts in the chest, severing an artery.
Despite being mortally wounded, Marshal Watts was able to fire at the suspect, striking him in the leg. He was later convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On June 16, 1882, he was executed by hanging at the Perry County Jail.
Marshal Watts was survived by his wife and four children. He was a Union Civil War Veteran having served as a private with the 13th Illinois Calvary.
Survivors
Marshal Watts was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-E57CE29C- 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 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.
Village Marshal Watts served with the Tamaroa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tamaroa community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Watts served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Village Marshal William 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Watts's cause is highlighted.
How William Watts Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Watts is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Watts was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Military Service
William Watts served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Watts’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Tamaroa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.