Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Watts was shot and mortally wounded and a deputy sheriff was wounded after they arrested a man for a liquor violation. As they were placing the suspect in the patrol car he grabbed the deputy's service revolver and shot them both. Officer Watts returned fire killing the suspect. Officer Watts died in the hospital later that night.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-CD6D7799- 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.
Officer Watts served with the Jacksonville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Watts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer J. Thomas 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Jacksonville Police Department, 25 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. Thomas Watts's cause is highlighted.
How J. Thomas Watts Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Thomas Watts is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Thomas Watts was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Jacksonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
