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Incident
Location: Ohio Weapon: Handgun; Revolver Offender: At large
Detective Alfred Knight was shot and killed in while checking boxcars of an incoming train in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad yards north of Dayton, Ohio.
The train was passing through Dayton while en route from Cincinnati to Detroit, Michigan. Detective Knight and another detective discovered three men riding in one of the boxcars and ordered them out of the train. As the men exited one of them opened fire, killing Detective Knight and wounding the other detective. Despite the wound, the other detective returned fire as the three men fled.
During the next several months several suspects were questioned but there was never enough evidence to support charges.
Detective Knight was survived by his wife. He is buried in Memorial Park Cemtery, Dayton, Ohio.
Survivors
Detective Knight was survived by his wife.
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.
Detective Knight served with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Knight.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department has lost 22 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Alfred is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Alfred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alfred 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 1927, 2 officers at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 3.
In 1927, 4 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alfred was 25. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 39.5; the middle age was 32.5.
Alfred was 25. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35.
Alfred was 25. 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.
Alfred was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 7.7% of these deaths at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department; August holds the most, 23.1%. Thursdays: 30.8%.
September holds 5.1% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 59.1% of all 22 deaths at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 1.5% 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; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Alfred among them.
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Thomas Madden Nov 14, 1911
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Elijah Newton Boileau Feb 24, 1915
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Walter Starrett
Dec 24, 1917
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George C. Slavens
Apr 30, 1919
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Alonzo C. Speece Aug 23, 1919
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Lawrance Joseph Beers
Dec 11, 1919
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Benjamin Kohut Apr 15, 1920
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John D. Earle
Oct 5, 1920
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Thomas C. Barnard
Jun 1, 1921
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William Lynn Freeland Aug 18, 1921
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John P. Archer Jan 19, 1922
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Earl Shull
Apr 10, 1922
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John W. Morley Apr 16, 1922
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John W. Foy Apr 29, 1922
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Harry A. Malone Aug 16, 1925
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Urmson Leroy Strayer Jul 8, 1927
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Alfred Knight
Sep 15, 1927
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Horace C. Williams Oct 11, 1930
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Joseph L. O'Brien
Oct 30, 1932
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Lloyd C. Utz Sep 7, 1934
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Albert A. Sutter
Feb 8, 1950
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Dexter B. Snow May 27, 1956
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
