James B. Watts

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI

Felonious

End of Watch March 15, 1975

Age 26

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 115 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 249

Incident

Police Officer James Watts and Detective Sergeant John Tsolis of the Highland Park Police Department were shot as they executed a narcotics search warrant at the home of the suspect at 13145 Appoline Street in Detroit. At 6:30 a.m., two Highland Park Police officers and three Detroit Police officers arrived at the house and arrested two men. When Detective Tsolis and Officer Watts opened the door to a bedroom, the suspect, who was hiding in a closet on the second floor, began firing with two guns. Detective Tsolis was killed instantly, and Officer Watts suffered wounds in his arm and chest. He was able to return fire but did not wound the suspect. Detective Tsolis died of his wounds at the scene. Officer Watts succumbed to his wounds on March 15th, 1975. The suspect pleaded guilty to the murder of Detective Tsolis and was sentenced to 10-20 years. Another suspect was convicted of possession of narcotics and sentenced to five years. Officer Watts had served with the Detroit Police Department for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, child, parents, and brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-5E78C3CB
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.
Police Officer Watts gave the Detroit Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Watts.

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

Agency

Department Detroit Police Department

Location Detroit, MI

Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 15, 1975

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 26

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to 15-20 years

Police Officer James B. 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Detroit Police Department, 177 of 250 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.8% of this agency's fallen.

Detroit Police Department

177

of 250 officers

70.8% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious