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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Dirk Knearem was killed in an automobile crash on Highway 73, at the intersection of Highway 124, near the Chambers County-Jefferson County border.
Deputy Knearem was responding to another crash call at 8:00 p.m. He was making a left-hand turn when his patrol car collided with another vehicle. Deputy Knearem was transported to a hospital in Winnie, where he succumbed to his injuries at 8:45 p.m.
Deputy Knearem had served with the Chambers County Sheriff's Department for 2 years and had been in law enforcement for a total of 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, four brothers, two sisters, and his fiancée.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Knearem gave the Chambers County Sheriff's Office 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Anahuac community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Knearem.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Chambers County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Dirk is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Dirk is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dirk is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 8 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 2004, 72 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2004, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Dirk was 40. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Dirk had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Dirk was 40. 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. Dirk had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dirk was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Dirk had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.7% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Sundays: 12.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Chambers County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Chambers County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Dirk among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Chambers County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
