Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Knapp was shot and killed while attempting to arrest five bank robbery suspects who were fleeing Grand Rapids. Deputy Knapp noticed the vehicle drive by and attempted to stop it on the road outside of Lowell. He pulled alongside of the car on his motorcycle and ordered the men to stop. One of the suspects then opened fire on him, striking him once and knocking him from the motorcycle. Although mortally wounded he was able to return fire once before collapsing. The suspects were eventually apprehended. The shooter was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He was denied a new trial in 1954. He had a parole hearing in 1959 but the outcome is not known. The others received lengthy sentences for bank robbery.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-CD5E1371- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Knapp served with the Kent County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Knapp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles Knapp is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kent County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Knapp's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Knapp Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Knapp is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Knapp was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kent County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
