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James B. Watts
Agency patch
Police Officer

James B. Watts

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI
Felonious
United States flag Michigan flag
End of Watch March 15, 1975
Age 26
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
The Vigil Panel 115 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 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

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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.
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
Type Police Department
Location Detroit, Wayne County, 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

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James 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.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 26. 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. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

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

Detroit Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer James B. Watts

Detroit Police Department · End of Watch March 15, 1975

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W

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