Roll of Honor
Incident
Watchman John Batts was killed when he was struck multiple times in the back of the head after leaving his box on Shippen Street (present-day Bainbridge Street) near Third Street.
The subject was arrested a short time later after he attempted to break into a woman's home. The subject was taken to the lockup where it was discovered he had escaped from an insane asylum the previous day.
The man was declared insane and unable to stand trial for Watchman Batts' murder. The subject died while at Moyamensing Prison on November 26th, 1840.
Watchman Batts had served with the Southwark Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and predeceased by a young daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-C3B85608- 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
188 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Watchman Batts gave the Southwark Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphiap community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Watchman John Batts 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Batts's cause is highlighted.
How John Batts Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Batts is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Batts was killed by blunt object; lumber.