GARYSBURG — A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information about the unsolved murder of a well-known citizen here.

On the evening of January 23, Thomas Charles Watson, 58, who was described as a popular citizen, was found in the middle of Apple Street bleeding from the head. Watson was rushed to Halifax Regional Medical Center and then transported to Pitt Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed in the early hours of January 24.

Since then Garysburg Police Chief Raymond Vaughan and Police Lieutenant Michael Boone, assisted by Northampton County Sheriff’s Detective Division and the State Bureau of Investigation, have sought answers about the murder of Watson but to no avail.

Now the case may be getting a second wind with a reward coming from Governor Beverly Perdue’s Office.

Vaughan said the incentive, funneled through the SBI, offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved with Watson’s murder.

“I think this will be a great asset to encourage people to come forward,” said Vaughan who was notified of the reward on Monday.

Those with information about the case are urged to call the Garysburg Police Department at (252) 535-2167, the Northampton County Crime Stoppers Line at (252) 534-1110, or the State Bureau of Investigation at (800) 334-3000.