Sergeant Robert Watts was operating his police motorcycle when he was struck and killed by a motorist.

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.

While riding his police motorcycle, red lights flashing and siren activated, he collided with a car, on Missouri 9 Highway and Northwest Briarcliff Road. Prosecutors say the driver was attempting to make a U-turn on the highway, and a Clay County grand jury indicted the man on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Sergeant Bob Watts did not have to respond to the emergency call, but did anyway. During his 19 years on the Kansas City Police Department he had received 43 letters of commendation and served in Patrol, Homicide and Traffic Enforcement. Sergeant Watts previously served in the U.S. Army and was a Viet Nam War veteran. He was survived by his fiancee and two daughters.
Interred: Enloe Cemetery - Russellville, MO.