John Patrick Watson

Kenai Police Officer

Jan. 12, 1960-Dec. 25, 2003

Police officers know their job is inherently risky. Any call, even a seemingly benign one for a "welfare check," could prove to be dangerous. Officers, however, are well trained for the dangers and risks.

That's how they are able to make it home most nights. That's how they are able to show up for the job day after day.

And that's why you hardly ever read about them in tragic situations. They keep the community and themselves safe ‹ just as they are trained to do.

So, when something goes wrong, as it did Christmas night in Kenai with the fatal shooting of Officer John Watson, an 18-year veteran of the Kenai Police Department, it stuns an entire community.

Such things just aren't supposed to happen. Especially on Christmas. Especially to a good cop. Especially to a guy who is well respected and loved not only by his family and co-workers but by the citizens he served so well.

While there will be much analyzing and questioning of the incident in the days, weeks and months ahead, there are a few things that are certain: Officer Watson did not cause his own death. There is nothing his fellow officers could have done to prevent his death. And under the most difficult of circumstances, Kenai police officers responded with the purest professionalism by securing the peaceful surrender of the man who now stands accused of murdering their colleague, mentor and friend.

The Kenai Police Department and the community of Kenai can take great pride ‹ and comfort ‹ in that response. It speaks volumes of the officers' training, their courage, their respect for their fellow citizens and their desire to do the right thing. It is a fitting tribute to their fallen comrade.

Officer Watson is the first Kenai police officer killed in the line of duty.

His death is shocking to the community where he lived and worked and played and heart-wrenching to those who were close to him.

Those who knew him best describe him as caring, friendly, honest, open, outgoing, sensitive to those who were in trying situations, steady and straightforward. They say his great love was his wife, Kathy, whose birthday was Christmas, and his two girls. They say he also loved the community and the people who lived here and nothing was more important to him than investing in the lives of its residents. They say he had a soft spot for all the children of the community. They say he was an encourager to his fellow officers and a pillar in the police department and wider community.

That he lived honorably.

That he died honorably.

And that he knew his final destiny would be safe in the arms of the Lord he loved.

Beyond the question of what went wrong Christmas night there also is the question of what is an appropriate response from the community to the tragedy. What is a fitting tribute to a man who sacrificed his very life serving his neighbors?

At the least, Officer Watson's life and his death should renew the community's appreciation for those who work as police officers, firefighters and other emergency workers. We know they love their work or they wouldn't do it ‹ there are far less dangerous jobs ‹ but let's take a few moments to say thanks and encourage them and let them know we do not take them for granted.

Officer Watson wanted to keep the community safe. Let us help by playing by the rules. They seem like such small things to do ‹ driving the speeding limit, obeying the traffic rules, watching out for the other guy ‹ but abiding by them is a practical tribute to a man who understood the importance of the little things.

Officer Watson loved his family. He would be honored by the community reaching out to comfort and care for them.

Finally, a memorial fund has been established in Officer Watson's name through First National Bank Alaska. It is the John Watson Memorial Fund, account No. 70230735.

But, in the end, there is no way to say thank you to a man who lays down his life in service to others.

All we can do is express our sincere sympathy to his wife, Kathy, his children and his fellow officers at the Kenai Police Department. May the support of the entire community comfort you in this time of great loss.