Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Peter Knudsen and Patrolman Francis O'Hara were killed when while attempting to cut off the flow of gas to a building where a leak was reported. When the two entered the basement of the building an explosion occurred and the officers were killed instantly. Lieutenant Charles Michie expended every effort to rescue the patrolman and exerted himself to such an extent that he collapsed amid the debris and died. Patrolman Knudsen served with the New York City Police Department for 21 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-F7005EC6- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Knudsen gave the New York City Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Knudsen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Peter J. Knudsen is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At New York City Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Peter J. Knudsen's cause is highlighted.
How Peter J. Knudsen Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Peter J. Knudsen is highlighted in Nov.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
