Cordele Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Sunday, October 18, 1970
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 18, 1970
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Sergeant Watson was shot and killed with his own weapon after arresting a man for selling muslim papers without a license. As he drove the man to the police station he was attacked and the suspect was able to gain control of his service weapon and shot him four times. The suspect and another man had been told to leave town the week before when they were caught selling the same paper.
His killer was apprehended in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by FBI Agents on May 18, 1971. He was returned to Cordele a year later, convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On April 13, 1981, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a new trial, stating the jurors were improperly selected. On September 17, 1981, he was acquitted by the new jury. His trial was one of the most controversial trials in our nations history.
Sergeant Watson was a World War II veteran.