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Incident
Chief of Police Charles Knowles suffered a fatal heart attack when he was kicked in the chest during a struggle on Route 1.
He and another officer attempted to arrest a driver who was impaired. After placing the driver in the patrol vehicle, the female subject kicked him in the chest, triggering a heart attack. Chief Knowles was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver was charged with driving while intoxicated, and the female was charged with assault and battery.
Chief Knowles had been chief for two years and had served with the Seabrook Police Department for 30 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
30 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Knowles gave the Seabrook Police Department 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Seabrook community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Knowles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Charles is the only officer of Seabrook Police Department remembered here.
Charles is one of 14 officers lost to cardiac events in NH, 23.7% of the 59 remembered there.
Charles is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 1 officer in NH was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1973, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Charles was 57. Of the 14 lost to cardiac events in NH whose age is recorded, half were between 37.3 and 52.8; the middle age was 46.5. Charles had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Charles was 57. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Charles had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Charles was 57. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Charles had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
August holds 14.3% of these deaths in NH; October holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 21.4%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Seabrook Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 23.7% of all 59 deaths in NH, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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