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Incident
Deputy Watkins was killed in an automobile accident at Old Jennings Road and Highway 21 while following an ambulance to the hospital while leaving the scene of an attempted suicide call.
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.
Sergeant Watkins served with the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Green Cove Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Watkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Clay County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Richard is one of 314 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Richard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 3 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 37th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 1976, 59 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1976, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
May holds 8% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 16.6%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 22.2% of all 9 deaths at Clay County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Clay County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Clay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
