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Incident
Sheriff Charles McKnight was shot and killed when he responded to reports of a man threatening a family inside a home on Route 12 (modern-day Route 58) about six miles east of Independence.
He was shot in the chest when he approached the man to question him.
The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On May 25, 1934, Governor George C. Peery commuted his sentence to life. On December 6, 1939, he died in prison from cardiovascular renal disease.
Sheriff McKnight had served with the Grayson County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and two 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.
Sheriff McKnight gave the Grayson County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Independence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff McKnight.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charles is the only officer of Grayson County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Charles is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 4 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 53. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 53. 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 had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Grayson County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Grayson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.