Roll of Honor
Incident
Acting Chief of Police Roy Knotts was shot in the back while serving warrants for the arrest of slot machine owners. As he entered an establishment to purchase cigarettes, the subject approached and shot Chief Knotts five times in the back.
The prior Chief of Police had recently resigned, fearing for his life after the Logan City Council ordered the arrest anybody operating a slot machine. Arrest warrants were found in Chief Knotts' pocket after his murder.
The subject was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Chief Knotts had previously served as the commander of the West Virginia State Police detachment in Logan.
The prior Chief of Police had recently resigned, fearing for his life after the Logan City Council ordered the arrest anybody operating a slot machine. Arrest warrants were found in Chief Knotts' pocket after his murder.
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- 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.
Acting Chief of Police Knotts served with the Logan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Logan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Acting Chief of Police Knotts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Acting Chief of Police Roy Clay Knotts 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roy Clay Knotts's cause is highlighted.
How Roy Clay Knotts Compares
Offender Outcome
Deceased
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roy Clay Knotts is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roy Clay Knotts was killed by gun; unknown type.