Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Martin Knudson was fatally wounded in a gun battle with armed robbers. Patrolman Knudson was detailed to guard cash collections being taken at a garage used by the Chicago Herald and Examiner at 856 N. Trumbull Avenue. Three armed robbers entered and announced a holdup. In an attempt to foil the robbery, Patrolman Knudson drew his revolver. A gun battle ensued and Patrolman Knudson was mortally wounded in the exchange. Just before Patrolman Knudson died he told fellow officers that he thought he shot one of the suspects. Officer later came upon an abandoned car the suspects had used in the robbery. Inside was a dead 18-year-old man who had been shot one time. Ballistics showed the bullet came from Patrolman Knudson's service revolver. Patrolman Knudson died an hour after the attack at the Franklin Boulevard Hospital. The other suspects were apprehended but only one was tried for the murder of Patrolman Knudson. The man was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Knudson had served with the Chicago Police Department for nearly 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-30D95DEA- 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 Martin. 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 Knudson gave the Chicago Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Knudson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Martin Knudson 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. Martin Knudson's cause is highlighted.
How Martin Knudson Compares
Offender Outcome
One shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Martin Knudson is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Martin Knudson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
