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John L. Watterson
Agency patch
Merchant Policeman

John L. Watterson

Indianapolis Police Department — Indianapolis, IN
Felonious
United States flag Indiana flag
End of Watch December 23, 1893
Age 35
The Vigil Panel 12 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 58

Incident

Merchant Policeman John Watterson was stabbed and beaten to death after interrupting a burglary in progress at a meat market at 901 N Mississippi Street (present day Senate Avenue).

Policeman Watterson challenged the three burglars as they emerged from the rear door of the market. A violent struggle ensued in which Policeman Watterson was stabbed multiple times and his skull fractured. Despite his injuries he was able to fire his revolver, wounding one of the subjects.

He chased the men approximately one block before collapsing near 750 N Tennessee Street (present day Capitol Avenue). Policeman Watterson died moments after responding officers located him.

Two suspects were arrested on August 2, 1894, but were released several days later due to a lack of evidence. No one was ever convicted of Policeman Watterson's murder.

Policeman Watterson had served as a merchant policeman for several years.

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
September 9, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Merchant Policeman Watterson served with the Indianapolis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department Indianapolis Police Department
Type Other
Location Indianapolis, Marion County, IN
Platform Identity ipd.marion.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 23, 1893
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon; Knife

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1893, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 35. 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.

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

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Indianapolis Police Department has 59 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Merchant Policeman John L. Watterson

Indianapolis Police Department · End of Watch December 23, 1893

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E

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