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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Knapp was shot and killed while attempting to arrest five bank robbery suspects who were fleeing Grand Rapids. Deputy Knapp noticed the vehicle drive by and attempted to stop it on the road outside of Lowell. He pulled alongside of the car on his motorcycle and ordered the men to stop. One of the suspects then opened fire on him, striking him once and knocking him from the motorcycle. Although mortally wounded he was able to return fire once before collapsing. The suspects were eventually apprehended. The shooter was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He was denied a new trial in 1954. He had a parole hearing in 1959 but the outcome is not known. The others received lengthy sentences for bank robbery.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Knapp served with the Kent County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Knapp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kent County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1932, 5 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 41. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35.
Charles was 41. 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.
Charles was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 8.9% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Wednesdays: 12.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Kent County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Kent County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kent County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
