James H. Watkins

Cairo Police Department — Cairo, IL

Felonious

End of Watch December 20, 1903

Tour of Duty 8 mo

The Vigil Panel 19 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Police Officer James Watkins was shot and killed after arresting a man wanted for robbery in Mounds, Illinois.

Officer Watkins recognized the man and arrested him at the intersection of 21st Street and Poplar Street. He was escorting the man to jail and was approaching 16th Street when the man suddenly produced a handgun and shot Officer Watkins twice, fatally wounding him.

The suspect, known as the "Texas Kid", escaped in a horse and buggy he forcibly took from a couple.

Officer Watkins had served with the Cairo Police Department for eight months.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-9B93A450
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Watkins served with the Cairo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cairo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Watkins.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Cairo Police Department

Location Cairo, IL

Platform Identity cpd.alexander.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 20, 1903

Tour of Duty 8 mo

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Police Officer James H. Watkins 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 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 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Cairo Police Department, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Cairo Police Department

of 5 officers

100% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious