Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Watson was shot and killed 13 minutes after reporting off duty, at 2313 hours. He was still in uniform when he was found suffering from gunshot wounds in a driveway outside of the city limits. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The owner of the property was charged with his murder. The suspect told police that as he drove his car onto his driveway Officer Watson pulled up behind him in his personal car and got out. He said he felt threatened by Officer Watson, did not realize he was a police officer and shot him. It is not known why Officer Watson approached the suspect. The suspect was acquitted.
Survivors
Officer Watson was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-5DF59988- 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 Watson served with the Lenoir Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lenoir community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Watson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Frank William Watson 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 Lenoir Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank William Watson's cause is highlighted.
How Frank William Watson Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank William Watson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank William Watson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lenoir Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
