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Incident
Officer Kenneth Knepp was killed in a motorcycle crash on North Howard and Frederick Streets in Akron. He was on a detail to the highway patrol when a truck turned in front of him. Officer Knepp was unable to stop and collided with the back of the truck. Other officers were following behind him and were able to pull him out of the burning wreckage. He succumbed to his injuries as soon as he arrived at St. Thomas Hospital. The driver admitted to having a drink before driving home. He was charged with manslaughter, but was acquitted. Officer Knepp had served with the Akron Police Department for almost eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, parents, two brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Knepp gave the Akron Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Akron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Knepp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Akron Police Department has lost 28 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Kenneth is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 2 officers at Akron Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1933, 5 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1933, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1933, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Kenneth was 29. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Akron Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 36.8; the middle age was 32.5. Kenneth had served 7.7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Kenneth was 29. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Kenneth had served 7.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Kenneth had served 7.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Kenneth had served 7.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 28.6% of these deaths at Akron Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 28.6%.
March holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Fridays: 16.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 28 deaths at Akron Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 57.1% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Akron Police Department has 28 officers remembered here, Kenneth among them.
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Guy Norris
Dec 24, 1917
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Edward J. Costigan
Jan 10, 1918
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Joseph H. Hunt
Jan 12, 1918
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Gethin G. Richards
Mar 12, 1918
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Adolph Oberdoerster
Dec 15, 1918
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George Werne
Mar 9, 1919
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Harold Rogers
Jul 8, 1925
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William H. Grubbs
May 10, 1929
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Harland F. Manes
Mar 9, 1930
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Forrest L. Good
Jun 21, 1931
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Kenneth Knepp
Mar 3, 1933
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William Sherfie Peterson
Oct 31, 1933
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Arden D. Weese
Mar 22, 1946
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Floyd A. Weatherholt, Jr.
Mar 25, 1960
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Ronald D. Rotruck
Jul 21, 1964
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Eugene Hooper
Apr 10, 1965
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Robert E. Donahue
Jul 31, 1968
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Glenn K. Stewart
Sep 5, 1970
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Stephen J. Ondas
Oct 21, 1972
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Gary A. Yost, Sr.
Aug 23, 1975
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Ben James Franklin
Jan 10, 1992
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Harold L. Wintrow
Aug 27, 1993
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George R. Knaff
Nov 5, 1994
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Frank Dennis Mancini
Jan 23, 2012
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Jonathan R. Long
Aug 15, 2013
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Justin Robert Winebrenner
Nov 16, 2014
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Kenneth Clarence Jones
Nov 7, 2020
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Edward Lee Stewart
Feb 12, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
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