ISP announces retirement of Sgt. Joe Watts

Friday, March 1, 2019
After graduating the Indiana State Police Academy in 1985 and becoming a probationary trooper (left), Sgt. Joe Watts went on to serve as a trooper for 33 years before officially retiring last month.
Courtesy Indiana State Police

PUTNAMVILLE — After 33 years of dedicated service to the Wabash Valley, Sgt. Joe Watts has retired from the Indiana State Police.

Upon graduating from Montezuma High School in 1980, Watts worked as a dispatcher for the Parke County Sheriff’s Department and as an EMT for the Parke County Ambulance Service. He then became a dispatcher for the Indiana State Police at the Terre Haute Post in 1984. Watts dispatched for one year before graduating from the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy in November of 1985.

Watts was assigned to the Terre Haute State Police Post as a probationary trooper after graduation, serving Parke and Vermillion counties. He also served on the department’s emergency response team for 10 years. Watts was promoted to corporal in 2000 and served as a district duty officer, before being promoted to sergeant to serve as a public information officer (PIO) in 2004.

When the Terre Haute District merged with the Putnamville District, Watts became the PIO for the newly-formed district, serving a total of 15 years until he announced his retirement from the force on Feb. 14, 2019.

Sgt. Watts earned several awards during his 33 years of service. In 2006, he was awarded the Hoosier Hero Award, which was presented by the Indiana Pacers. Watts was also the 2010 recipient of the W. Kevin Artz Award as the Vigo County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. In July of 2010, he received the commendation award for his dedication to his profession and to the citizens he served.

Watts was also the recipient of three life saving awards in 2003, 2008 and 2013. Watts was also recognized for having 1,200,000 safe driving miles in 2018.

“Sgt. Watts poured his heart and soul into being an Indiana State trooper and, more importantly, into helping others by making a safer environment for the entire Wabash Valley,” said current PIO Sgt. Matt Ames.

Putnamville Post Commander Lt. Dan Jones also shared his memories of Watts.

“I have known Joe my entire career and then some,” Jones said. “He was one of my field training officers, a shift partner, a mentor and a close friend. He is family.

“Joe was always well respected in the community and it was common for citizens to ask about him regularly. It seems like everyone knew him and that continues today,” Jones continued. “In my opinion, he was a shining example of what an Indiana State Trooper should be. To the public, largely because of his position as district PIO and due to his outgoing personality, Joe Watts was the Indiana State Police.”

Watts has received numerous letters of commendation and appreciation for his dedicated service. These letters were received from the public and from other law enforcement agencies.

“One cannot begin to comprehend what this career has meant to me, being an Indiana State Trooper,” Watts said. “All of this was enhanced by the support of my loving family, friends and by working alongside my fellow troopers, local police officers, sheriff’s deputies, fire/rescue, EMS, coroners, tow recovery operators, local officials and the news media. All of you I have the utmost respect for, and you have made my journey a very memorable one.”

Watts has two children and three grandchildren, and has been married to his wife Kathy for 34 years. They currently reside in Vigo County.

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