Remembering Patrolman William Waterson
On Sunday, July 4th, families in Clark will celebrate Independence Day with barbeques and fireworks. The annual holiday also holds additional meaning to a particular Clark family, the Clark Police Department. As many know, it was on this date in 1971 when Patrolman William Waterson was shot and killed at the age of just twenty-four, while on duty and protecting the community. It was shortly after midnight that day when Waterson and his partner came upon an armed robbery outside the old Howard Johnson’s Motel (currently ShopRite). Patrolman Waterson was shot by the suspect as the suspect fled the scene on foot. This year marks the 50thanniversary of his death.
William Waterson was born September 13, 1946. He was the oldest of three children born to John and Edna Waterson. In 1948, brother Edward and in 1955, sister Jeannette (Ginny) followed. The family resided in town on Terry Lane. William, “Billy” attended Clark Public Schools and graduated from Arthur L. Johnson in June of 1965. Just a few short days after graduation, Billy joined the United States Marine Corps. and faithfully served his country until he was Honorably Discharged on April 16, 1969. Less than two weeks later, Billy was sworn in as a member of the Clark Police Department. He graduated from the Union County Basic Training Course (Police Academy) on July 17, 1969. In August of 1970, Waterson become engaged to Veronica Scott, also from the ALJ class of ’65. The two were slated to be married in November of 1971.
The death of Patrolman Waterson would begin a lengthy and exhaustive investigation. It was almost 7 years later, on March 1, 1978, when John Henry Taylor, age 29 and a resident of Rahway, was arrested and charged in Waterson’s death. Taylor was a career criminal, and a primary suspect during the course of the investigation. According to Retired Detective Sergeant Michael Pollock Sr., Taylor was charged as the result of gathered circumstantial evidence. At trial, a lack of direct evidence existed. Taylor was found not guilty and subsequently acquitted. As a repeat offender in other cases, Taylor would ultimately go to prison for about 10 years. Taylor died from cancer in Rahway Hospital a little more than twenty years ago. According to Sergeant Pollock, investigators followed up on hundreds of tips and leads during the span of the investigation. Some appeared promising, but most resulted in frustration. There were several people who police believed had direct knowledge of Taylor’s involvement. Unfortunately, these people were also killed or found dead under suspicious circumstances while the investigation progressed. Sgt. Pollock spent years after the acquittal of Taylor reviewing and reinvestigating the case in hopes of uncovering the ultimate truth. These efforts included an attempt to get a dying statement from Taylor, which also was unsuccessful. Pollock strongly believes that there is still someone alive today who had direct knowledge of who killed Patrolman Waterson.
At the time of Waterson’s death, his father John was Captain of the Clark Police Department. Captain Waterson died in 2004 at the age of 80. William Waterson’s mother Edna, was 64 years old when she passed away in 1989. She is buried alongside her son Billy at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield. Billy’s brother Edward still resides in New Jersey, and his sister Ginny lives in Clark.
A year after Waterson’s death, a tradition was started by members of the Clark Police Department, including Billy Waterson’s closest friend, Retired Sergeant Robert Clark. According to Sgt. Clark, members of the police department would gather at 9 a.m. on the morning of July 4th to talk about and share memories of Patrolman Waterson. Eventually, a monument was created and dedicated to him. The annual July 4th memorial tradition takes place at this monument. The monument also now includes the names of officers who have served the police department and retired. This year’s July 4th memorial at police headquarters will reflect upon the fifty years that have passed since Waterson’s killing. It will unite the police officers of the past with those of today and the future. It will also serve as a reminder that we will never forget Billy.
This article was submitted by James Cerasa a retired Captain of the Clark Police Department. Cerasa was ten years old at the time of Waterson’s death and watched the funeral procession pass as it proceeded down Raritan Road from the Walter Johnson Funeral Home to Osceola Church.
