Kenai Police Department, Alaska
End of Watch Thursday, December 25, 2003
Add to My HeroesJohn Patrick Watson
Officer John Watson was shot and killed after locating a vehicle wanted by the Alaska State Troopers.
At 1941 hours, the troopers had asked for assistance in locating a newer silver Ford Excursion. A citizen had reported to the troopers, that the suspect and a 21-year-old female, had left her residence in a Ford Excursion and that the subject appeared intoxicated and agitated. The troopers were attempting to locate the vehicle in order to conduct a welfare check.
Officer Watson went to the home of the subject but was unable to locate the truck. At 2016 hours, Officer Watson reported that he had just seen a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle driving past him. He turned around and stopped the vehicle in the driveway of the suspect's home. Officer Watson allowed the female companion to exit the vehicle in order to take two dogs into the house.
During the stop, the suspect acted aggressively toward Officer Watson and a struggle ensued as Officer Watson attempted to arrest the man. At some point during the struggle, the suspect was able to obtain Officer Watson's service weapon, a Glock 21, .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun. The suspect fired two shots, one of which struck Officer Watson in the back and was deflected by his bullet resistant vest. The second shot struck Officer Watson in the back of the head, killing him.
The suspect then walked into the residence where his female companion took the gun from him and put it in the bedroom.
When backup officers arrived, the female came to the door and ran from the residence unharmed but the suspect refused to surrender. After a short stand-off, the suspect surrendered to officers at 0107 hours. He was convicted first-degree murder and assault on June 3, 2005, and sentenced to 101 years.
Officer Watson had served with the Kenai Police Department for 18 years. He is survived by his wife, children, mother, two brothers, and sister.
Bio
- Age 43
- Tour 18 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Sentenced to 101 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 274 Reflectionsgrandpa. oh how i wish i could’ve met you. i have heard so many amazing things and am so grateful to be able to say that you were family. you are continuously thought about and missed.
serenity rabon
grand daughter
December 26, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Sean Sluganski
McKeesport Police Department, PA
EOW: February 6, 2023

Criminal Investigator Steven A. Carnes
Tom Green County District Attorney's Office, TX
EOW: November 13, 2022

Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco, Jr.
Selma Police Department, CA
EOW: January 31, 2023

Master Patrol Officer Clarence L. "CJ" Williams
Cairo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 28, 2023

Supervisory Officer Jacqueline Montanaro
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: January 14, 2023

Police Officer Carl Douglas Kimball
St. Francisville Police Department, LA
EOW: January 12, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 13, 2023

Court Services Officer Curtis Matthew Worland
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: December 13, 2022

Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Brackenridge Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: January 2, 2023