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Chief of Police Watt Gaston Snuggs | Norwood Police Department, North Carolina
Norwood Police Department, North Carolina

Chief of Police

Watt Gaston Snuggs

Norwood Police Department, North Carolina

End of Watch: Monday, January 22, 1917

Biographical Info

Age: 47
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 22, 1917
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Escaped from prison

Chief Snuggs was shot and killed when he attempted to break up a brawl involving three brothers and several other men in front of the Norwood drug store. While trying to restore order one of the brothers shot him in his right side. After being shot, Chief Snuggs had to wait for a train to take him to the hospital. He succumbed to his wounds en route to the hospital.

Six months earlier the suspect attacked Chief Snuggs with a beer bottle, while resisting arrest, severely wounding the Chief about the head. After his trial, the suspect told people he would get Chief Snuggs if he ever got the chance.

The suspect was eventually arrested, convicted of Chief Snuggs' murder and sent to prison. Months later he escaped from prison by sliding down a storm drain to his freedom. He was never recaptured.

Chief Snuggs was survived by his wife and nine children.