Incident
Officer Watts was shot and mortally wounded and a deputy sheriff was wounded after they arrested a man for a liquor violation. As they were placing the suspect in the patrol car he grabbed the deputy's service revolver and shot them both. Officer Watts returned fire killing the suspect. Officer Watts died in the hospital later that night.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtptggg0mw7t0x54s9d2x- 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 J.. 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.
Officer Watts served with the Jacksonville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Watts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jacksonville Police Department has lost 33 officers; 25 of them killed feloniously.
J. is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
J. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
J. 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 1933, 1 officer at Jacksonville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 2.
In 1933, 7 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
J. was 39. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Jacksonville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 39.8; the middle age was 34.5.
J. was 39. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
J. 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.
J. was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 24% of these deaths at Jacksonville Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 20%.
May holds 9% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75.8% of all 33 deaths at Jacksonville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 10.3% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Jacksonville Police Department has 33 officers remembered here, J. among them.
-
John Yeomans May 24, 1840
-
Ignatio Andrea Apr 14, 1869
-
William Johnson Apr 12, 1870
-
Joseph Nelson Jun 26, 1880
-
Carlton T. Lowe Feb 26, 1890
-
Edward Minor Apr 5, 1895
-
William E. Gruber Apr 28, 1897
-
Henry H. Raley
Nov 29, 1900
-
Hezekiah E. Hires
May 13, 1910
-
Luther B. Henderson
Jan 26, 1911
-
Napolean B. Hagan
Sep 22, 1913
-
Benjamin Franklin Hagan
Aug 10, 1917
-
James Shirley Booth Oct 16, 1918
-
Charles F. Turknett
Sep 26, 1919
-
Henry A. Everett
Jan 20, 1920
-
William J. Kelly
Sep 3, 1924
-
Jesse J. Barber
May 20, 1929
-
L. M. Dyer May 23, 1929
-
Willie D. Smith
Jan 19, 1930
-
J. Thomas Watts May 5, 1933
-
John P. Ellis
Sep 11, 1937
-
Clarence E. Ballou
Sep 29, 1937
-
Ellis V. Dyal
Jun 22, 1946
-
Richard M. Scarborough
Jun 22, 1946
-
Fred W. Higginbotham
Aug 18, 1947
-
Robert Quincy Tucker
Dec 24, 1952
-
Thomas A. Robinson, Jr. Dec 16, 1953
-
Napolean B. Harvey Oct 2, 1956
-
Charles Sea
May 24, 1959
-
Ernest Charles Register Apr 20, 1960
-
William E. McCooley
Sep 5, 1962
-
William L. Griffin Jul 29, 1967
-
Jake B. Edwards Feb 1, 1968
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Jacksonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.









