Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Arnold Knippel was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance. As he walked from his patrol car to the home, the homeowner's son came out of the house and shot him three times. The suspect was apprehended seven hours later in Fredericksburg, 160 miles away. The 20-year-old was committed to a state mental hospital. Chief Knippel had also served as the Chief of Police of the La Grange Police Department from 1956 to 1961. He has also served as constable, deputy sheriff, and city policeman in Fayette County. He was survived by his wife. son, and daughter.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-916EE319- 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
40 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Knippel gave the Columbus Police Department 40 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Knippel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Arnold H. Knippel 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Columbus Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arnold H. Knippel's cause is highlighted.
How Arnold H. Knippel Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arnold H. Knippel is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arnold H. Knippel was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Columbus Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
