2022 Honoree
Utah Army National Guard
Afghanistan, Iraq
Steven Randy Watt grew up in Canada, the son of American parents, and in the home of a World War II bomber pilot who was part of “The Great Escape” story of 1944. His household hero taught him about resourcefulness and patriotism. Watt took advantage of his dual citizenship and came to Utah to pursue goals to work in law enforcement and study police science.
Watt enlisted in the Utah Army National Guard early in his police career. He took a year and half off to go to Basic Training, Airborne School and the Special Forces Qualification (Q) course. Watt’s military training helped grow his capabilities as a police officer, as well as, preparing him better tactically and mentally for his first deployment to Afghanistan in 2001-2002. During this deployment, he faced extreme circumstances and as suppressive fire was initiated, he facilitated the rescue of two downed soldiers.
From that experience Watt wrote his after-action report and made suggestions on updated doctrine for the military-leadership structure based on his police experience. The Army’s Special Operations Command received this report and in 2006 when he returned to combat the Army adopted the report and “caught up with best practices.”
In addition, he completed two combat tours in Iraq in 2006-2007 and 2010–2011, serving first as a Counter-Terrorism Advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior’s Counter-Terrorism Unit, and, second, as the Strategic Plans Chief, J5, at Joint Force Special Operations Component Command-Iraq and advanced to the rank of Colonel.
Watt believes the U.S. Army has the finest leadership development program in the world and with mutual back and forth between police and military tactics, they evolved together over time. Watt retired with 34 years from U.S. Army’s 19th Special Forces, and 36 years with Ogden Police Department that included 13 years with SWAT and four as Chief of Police.
Watt received a Bronze Star with “V” (valor) Device from the 19th Special Forces Group and the U.S. Special Forces. An excerpt of the citation he received gives us a true picture of this incredible individual: “Watt’s heroism and gallantry under fire are in the keeping of traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself.”