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Incident
Officer Watson was shot and killed 13 minutes after reporting off duty, at 2313 hours. He was still in uniform when he was found suffering from gunshot wounds in a driveway outside of the city limits. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The owner of the property was charged with his murder. The suspect told police that as he drove his car onto his driveway Officer Watson pulled up behind him in his personal car and got out. He said he felt threatened by Officer Watson, did not realize he was a police officer and shot him. It is not known why Officer Watson approached the suspect. The suspect was acquitted.
Survivors
Officer Watson was survived by his wife and two children.
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.
Officer Watson served with the Lenoir Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lenoir community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Watson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lenoir Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank 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 1969, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1969, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 24. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Frank was 24. 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.
Frank was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Lenoir Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Lenoir Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lenoir Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
