Prev Next

Special Agent

S. Perry Watkins

United States Department of the Treasury - United States Secret Service — Washington, DC

Felonious

End of Watch January 14, 1980

Age 39

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

The Vigil Panel 122 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 25

Incident

Special Agent Perry Watkins was shot and killed inside of the Secret Service field office in Denver, Colorado. A man had entered the offices and began rambling incoherently to two agents inside. During the course of the conversation, the man identified himself and the agents were able to run a background check. The check revealed the man had been arrested several times for threatening presidents, had been arrested at the White House gate in the past, and had been committed to a mental institution. They also learned that he had been arrested with a gun during an interview with a Secret Service agent in the past. The agents then asked the man if he was armed and he indicated that he was. The agents called for assistance from the Denver Police Department. As they waited for the uniformed officers, Agent Watkins walked out of his office toward the main entrance. The suspect suddenly jumped up and pulled out his handgun. Agent Watkins immediately grabbed the gun and was shot in the chest. Agent Watkins and the other agents returned fire, killing the suspect. Agent Watkins had been with the United States Secret Service for nine years and had served in law enforcement for 13 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: neuraspine_01krbxtptfhkn4wd49hd0ez42z
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew S.. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Watkins gave the United States Department of the Treasury 13 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Watkins.

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

Agency

Department United States Department of the Treasury - United States Secret Service

Type Federal Agency

Location Washington, DC

Platform Identity usdtusssfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 14, 1980

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

S. 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.

Compare against

Time

In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

S. was 39. 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. S. had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded