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Incident
Sergeant Paul Knisely and Patrolman Robert Goodrich drowned in Little Apple Creek during a rescue mission at 5 am. The area had received ten inches of rain in less than 13 hours. Four policemen were rescuing people trapped by high waters in their homes when their boat capsized. Two policemen were rescued; one of the police officers was Patrolman Goodrich's son. Sergeant Knisley had served with the Wooster Police Department for over seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Sergeant Knisely gave the Wooster Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wooster community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Knisely.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wooster Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Paul is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Paul is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 3 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1969, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1969, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Paul was 30. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Paul had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 30. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 30. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 12.2% of these deaths in OH, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Wooster Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Wooster Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wooster Police Department are honored on badge.nw.