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Incident
Patrolman George Knaff succumbed to his injuries when a drunk driver ran a stop sign and struck his patrol car at 1:23 a.m. on South Hawkins Street in Akron. Patrolman Knaff and his partner were responding to a man with a gun call. His partner was driving south on South Hawkins Street when a truck pulled out in front of them at Lawton Street. The patrol car landed on its side, and the truck flipped upside down. The subject ran from the scene but was apprehended the following day at his home. Patrolman Knaff was transported to Akron General Medical Center, where he died after emergency surgery. The 32-year-old man was convicted of vehicular homicide and drunk driving and was sentenced to 4 to 10 years. On June 20, 2000, so many Akron police officers showed up at the drunk driver's parole hearing that he withdrew his application. In 2005, he was released. On December 12, 2009, he was charged with drunk driving again. Patrolman Knaff had served with the Akron Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Knaff gave the Akron Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Akron community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Knaff.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Akron Police Department has lost 28 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 1 officer at Akron Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 3.
In 1994, 3 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 32. Of the 16 killed feloniously at Akron Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.8 and 39.5; the middle age was 32.5. George had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
George was 32. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
George was 32. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. George had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 12.5% of these deaths at Akron Police Department; March holds the most, 25%. Saturdays: 31.3%.
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 17%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 28 deaths at Akron Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Akron Police Department has 28 officers remembered here, George 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 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Akron Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
