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George B. Knapp
Incident
Assistant County Detective George Knapp was shot and killed as he and the chief county detective attempted to raid a still on a mountaintop near Equinunk, Pennsylvania.
The officers had to park their car approximately two miles from the still site due to the remoteness of the location. As they approached the owner's hut the man opened fire on them with a rifle, striking the chief county detective. Hearing the shot, Detective Knapp ran from the rear of the house but was shot once in the chest and killed instantly.
The man then shot the chief detective a second time. The chief detective was able to escape from the scene and call for help, but the man committed suicide before responding officers could get to the home and arrest him.
A friend of the man was charged with being an accessory after the fact for refusing to render aid to the chief detective as he attempted to seek help.
Detective Knapp had previously served with the Honesdale Borough Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Assistant County Detective Knapp gave the Wayne County District Attorney's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Honesdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant County Detective Knapp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
George is the only officer of Wayne County District Attorney's Office remembered here.
George is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1923, 15 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 62. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
George was 62. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 62. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Thursdays: 13.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wayne County District Attorney's Office. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wayne County District Attorney's Office are honored on badge.nw.