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Incident
Chief of Police Arnold Knippel was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance. As he walked from his patrol car to the home, the homeowner's son came out of the house and shot him three times. The suspect was apprehended seven hours later in Fredericksburg, 160 miles away. The 20-year-old was committed to a state mental hospital. Chief Knippel had also served as the Chief of Police of the La Grange Police Department from 1956 to 1961. He has also served as constable, deputy sheriff, and city policeman in Fayette County. He was survived by his wife. son, and daughter.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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
40 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Knippel gave the Columbus Police Department 40 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Knippel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Columbus Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Arnold is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Arnold is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Arnold 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 1968, 6 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1968, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arnold was 67. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Arnold had served 40 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Arnold was 67. 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. Arnold had served 40 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arnold was 67. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Arnold had served 40 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Columbus Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Columbus Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Arnold among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Columbus Police Department are honored on badge.nw.