Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Richard Knabb succumbed to injuries suffered nearly two months earlier while pursuing two armed robbery suspects. Officer Knabb, who was on his motorcycle, was chasing two armed robbery suspects when the offender's vehicle struck his motorcycle, causing him to crash into a ditch. Two citizens helped capture both suspects and assisted Officer Knabb who suffered a broken leg before he was taken to Des Plaines Hospital. Officer Knabb had survived a bout of pneumonia during his recovery, but died nearly two months later from a blood clot as a result of the injuries he suffered. Officer Knabb had served with the Des Plaines Police Department for one year.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-3362DD3B- 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 Richard. 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
You barely got started.
Officer Knabb gave the Des Plaines Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Des Plaines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Knabb.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Richard A. Knabb 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 Des Plaines Police Dept., 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard A. Knabb's cause is highlighted.
How Richard A. Knabb Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard A. Knabb is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard A. Knabb was killed by automobile.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Des Plaines Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
