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Lewis O. Knapp
Incident
Police Officer Lewis Knapp was shot and killed while attempting to question two subjects with another officer who had brought moonshine on the property of the Vesta Coal Company near Brownsville.
Police Officer Paul Fox and Officer Knapp had witnessed the two men carrying a five-gallon can of moonshine from a vehicle in an attempt to sell it on the property. They approached the subjects as they entered the coal company's property. Both men shot at the officers, striking Officer Knapp in the head, killing him, and striking Officer Fox in the shoulder, arm, and back as he lay on the ground. Both subjects fled the area through a railway. A posse was quickly organized after the shooting but failed to capture the men.
Officer Fox was rushed to a hospital in Brownsville, where he fell unconscious after giving the license plate number of the vehicle that dropped off both subjects to investigators. The license number quickly led to the arrest of one suspect, age 31. He was convicted of one count of murder and sentenced to life. He applied for a commutation of his sentence on November 26, 1942, after his attorney convinced Governor Arthur H. James that he shot at the officers, but it was the other suspect that killed them both. He was released a few weeks later.
The second suspect, age 31, was arrested in New York in September of 1927 for assaulting a man during a card game. He was convicted of assault and sentenced to one year in West Chester Penitentiary under a false name. After serving 58 days, he escaped. A few days later, he was shot and seriously wounded by police in Elizabeth, New Jersey, when he opened fire on them as they attempted to take him into custody. While in the hospital, he took a turn for the worse and asked to see the police when he thought he was going to die. He told officials his real name and confessed that he shot and killed Officer Fox and Officer Knapp. He recovered, was returned to Washington County, convicted of two counts of murder, and sentenced to death. He was executed in the electric chair on January 14, 1929.
Officer Knapp was a United States Army WWI veteran and served with the Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and one child.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Knapp gave the Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reading community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Lewis O. Knapp served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Lewis is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Lewis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lewis is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 14 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lewis was 31. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Lewis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Lewis was 31. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Lewis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lewis was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lewis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 14.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Lewis among them.
Where
Military Service
Lewis O. Knapp served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Lewis O. Knapp’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
