Alabama Department of Public Safety, Alabama
End of Watch: Sunday, April 11, 1971
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 11, 1971
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Pardoned
Trooper Ormand Watkins was shot and killed after stopping a reckless driver on Sibert Road, in Etowah County.
During the traffic stop it was determined that the man was drunk. The man gained control of Trooper Watkins gun and fatally wounded him. He also shot and wounded a second trooper who was on the scene.
Trooper Watkins' killer was sentenced to 30 years in prison but served only 10 years before being pardoned by Governor George Wallace.
Trooper Watkins had been with the agency for six months. He was survived by his wife and 1-week-old child.