George R. Knaff

Akron Police Department — Akron, OH

Felonious

End of Watch November 5, 1994

Age 32

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Badge 104

The Vigil Panel 140 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 27

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

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-9C754CC9
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew George. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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

Department Akron Police Department

Location Akron, OH

Platform Identity apd.summit.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 5, 1994

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 32

Badge Number 104

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Released in 2005

Patrolman George R. Knaff 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Akron Police Department, 16 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.

Akron Police Department

of 28 officers

57.1% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious