Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman John Knox and Policeman George R. Dingwall were shot and killed in a shootout with a maniac who had shot up the Philadelphia Rapid Transit power shops at 13th and Mt. Vernon streets, then emptied two pistols at his pursuers before being clubbed unconscious by a motorcycle policeman. The suspect also shot and killed another man, wounded five more, two seriously, who pursued him. The suspect, age 30, was adjudged insane and sent to the Fairview Hospital for the criminally insane where he died on September 10, 1965. Policeman Knox was an eight-year veteran.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-C2BBF03E- 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.
Policeman Knox gave the Philadelphia Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Knox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman John James Knox 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John James Knox's cause is highlighted.
How John James Knox Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in mental hospital
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John James Knox is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John James Knox was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
