Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John C. Knight was shot and killed as he and his partner were investigating two suspicious individuals in a parked vehicle. Both officers noticed the vehicle with a popped trunk, and two occupants slumped over on the inside. As they approached the vehicle, the men sped off, and a short chase ensued.
The vehicle crashed into a parked car at 99th and South Parnell. The occupants then opened fire on the officers. Officer Knight was struck twice in the head and once in the abdomen before he could exit the passenger side of the vehicle. His partner exited the vehicle and returned fire, striking one of the assailants.
As the second officer went to check on Officer Knight, the wounded gunman reloaded his weapon, returned to the scene, and opened fire, wounding the second officer in the hip.
Later, that gunman was found and arrested after officers tracked a blood trail in the snow. The handgun used was a Ruger 9 mm semiautomatic with a laser sight.
On January 27, 2004, Officer Knight's killer was found guilty of first-degree murder. He was also charged and found guilty of attempted first-degree murder of the second officer.
On January 28, 2004, during the penalty phase of the trial, a plea agreement was reached. The defendant pled guilty to an unrelated murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. He also waived his right to appeal his conviction in Officer Knight's case.
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- 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.
Police Officer Knight gave the Chicago Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Knight.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John C. Knight 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John C. Knight's cause is highlighted.
How John C. Knight Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Knight is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
