robert michael watts
Agency: Kansas City Police Department, MO
During his 19 years in the Kansas City Police Department, Sergeant Michael Watts received 43 letters of commendation. Sergeant Watts previously served in the Army and was a Vietnam War veteran before joining the Kansas City Police Department.
On November 15, 1990 at approximately 11:00 a.m., three Kansas City Missouri Police Officers were called to assist the Fire Department to evacuate a burning and occupied apartment building. Sergeant Watts heard the call and volunteered to help. Sergeant “Bobby” Watts did not have to respond to the emergency call, but did anyway.
While riding his police motorcycle, red lights flashing and siren activated, he collided with a car, on 9 Highway and Briarcliff. Prosecutors say the driver was attempting to make a U-turn on the highway, and a grand jury indicted the man on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.
Reflections:
I love that I can read these reflections. Today I am older than my dad when he died. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up. I was just seventeen the year he was killed. I miss him and think of all the wonderful things we missed out on experiencing together. Wish he could have known my children. Love you dad, I hope you are proud of the life I have lived.
Bobbi Jo (Watts) Garber
Daughter
Bobby, it was an honour and privilege to know you and to work with you. I very much appreciate the bond of friendship that existed between us. I’ll never forget the fun we enjoyed, particularly off-duty, like our trips to the Indy 500. The one in 1984, was particularly memorable, wasn’t it!?! Your untimely death was a real tough one to swallow and a big loss to the KCPD. Walk well, my Brother.
Donnie Bowerman
Retired LEO
CMSUPD, IPD, KCPD, JCSD, DEA
Bobby was a great guy. We were sergeants together at East Patrol Division. He always wanted to be the first in the door. He was a go at em' type of policeman. Not surprising he responded immediately to a house fire. Losing him was a very sad day for all of us.
Sgt. John dawson
KCMO police dept.
I knew Bobby Watts and he was a funny guy. I worked with him on several off-duty jobs and it was always enjoyable. He could take the worst job and make it fun. When Bobby was killed he was a traffic sergeant riding a motorcycle. He was responding to a fire where there were people trapped on the inside. He was not dispatched, he just went because he was close like a good cop should. He was killed when a female driver made a U-turn in front of him and he hit her broadside. He had both lights and siren on at the time. A fine man....such a waste!
Anonymous
I miss you BOBBY! Man, I miss all the fun and all the good times we had in the Academy. You were a great officer and friend.
Christopher W. Sager// Ret. KCMOPD
Ret. Officer Christopher Sager
KCMOPD-RET.
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