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Incident
Sheriff Watts was shot and killed while attempting to raid a still. The suspect had previously threatened to kill anyone who attempted to arrest him. The suspect fled but was later found hiding in a field. He was convicted of Sheriff Watts' murder and was hanged on June 27, 1919.
Survivors
Sheriff Watts was survived by his wife, two children, and six siblings.
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.
Sheriff Watts served with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tuscaloosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Watts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Palmer is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Palmer is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Palmer is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 1 officer at Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 10 officers in AL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Palmer was 47. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 47.
Palmer was 47. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Palmer was 47. 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.
Palmer was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 40% of these deaths at Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Thursdays: 20%.
August holds 9.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.5% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Palmer among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
