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Incident
Patrolman Bobby R. Watson and Sergeant Otis Love were killed when their patrol car was struck by another car when they made a U-turn at 5:30 a.m. As Patrolman Watson was making the U-turn on Arkansas 35 north of Sheridan, the other car struck the patrol car. Both officers were killed instantly. The 25-year-old driver of the other car was critically injured. He had a BAC of .06 and was not legally drunk. Patrolman Watson had served with the Sheridan Police Department for 9 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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 Watson gave the Sheridan Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sheridan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Watson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Sheridan Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Bobby is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Bobby is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bobby is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 7 officers in AR were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Bobby was 44. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. Bobby had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bobby was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Bobby had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bobby was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Bobby had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.5% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Sundays: 12%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Sheridan Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.7% of all 372 deaths in AR, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Sheridan Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Bobby among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Sheridan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
