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Incident
Officer Watkins was shot and killed as he responded to a domestic disturbance. A man had gone to a woman's home and threatened to kill everyone there when she refused to come outside. As the officer approached the man opened fire with his 12-gauge shotgun, fatally wounding Officer Watkins. The suspect was apprehended later that evening. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and executed in the gas chamber June 14, 1940. Officer Watkins had been with the agency for three years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Watkins gave the Forest City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Forest City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Watkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Forest City Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Roy is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Roy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1939, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roy was 29. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Roy had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Roy was 29. 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. Roy had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roy had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.4% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Forest City Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 13.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Forest City Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Roy among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Forest City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
