Patrolman

Robert D. Watford

Savannah Police Department — Savannah, GA
Felonious
End of Watch September 18, 1969
Age 23
Tour of Duty 5 mo
The Vigil Panel 105 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Robert Watford was shot and killed while sitting in his patrol car at Charlton Street and Bull Street. The suspect was an armed robbery suspect. The subject shot Patrolman Watford and then stole his badge and gun. The suspect, 22, was apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. Patrolman Watford had served with the Savannah Police Department for only five months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

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

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Savannah, Chatham County, GA
Platform Identity spd.chatham.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 18, 1969
Tour of Duty 5 mo
Age 23
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Robert was 23. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Savannah Police Department has 31 officers remembered here, Robert among them.

VI

Where

Patrolman Robert D. Watford

Savannah Police Department · End of Watch September 18, 1969

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W

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