Watson, an 18-year veteran of the department, was nominated for exemplary performance in his duties as a patrolman during 2010.
In a single week during the month of May of that year, there were three bank robberies in the Hall County area. While they all occurred in different jurisdictions, they took place within a fairly small geographical area.
On the morning of May 20, yet another call of bank robbery in progress was received, and Watson was one of several deputies who responded. While scanning vehicles en route to the area, he observed a van occupied by two white males matching the description from previous surveillance photos of the local bank robbers.
Watson stopped the van and during the stop, he noticed clothing inside the vehicle that matched what the bank robbers had been wearing. After a brief investigation, the two were identified as the serial robbery team. Deputy Watson had just apprehended the pair as they were leaving their fourth bank robbery in eight days.
Then on August 31, Watson was on patrol in the area of Brown's Bridge Road, concentrating on an area that had seen a spike in residential burglaries. While patrolling through the neighborhood, he noted a car matching a lookout description with two subjects inside and a third that appeared to be knocking on the door of a residence.
After noticing the patrol car, the subjects attempted to leave the area, prompting Watson stop their car. During that stop, he observed items inside the vehicle that may have been utilized in burglaries. As a result of the subsequent investigation, the subjects were arrested and charged with twelve burglaries. The investigation also resulted in a number of arrests at a local "fencing" operation for stolen property.
In addition to the Georgia Elks award, Watson received the National Sheriff's Association Medal of Merit, and was named the Hall County Sheriff's Office 2010 Deputy of the Year for the Uniform Patrol Division.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/7/240544