Incident
Officer Alexander Knapp was shot and killed while escorting a man to jail. Officer Knapp was unarmed when he observed the intoxicated man and offered to walk him home. When the man refused to answer any questions Officer Knapp arrested him. During the walk to jail, the suspect fired a .25 caliber pistol from inside of his coat, striking Officer Knapp in the chest. Officer Knapp was able to subdue the suspect and positively identify him. Officer Knapp was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries three days later. On October 26, 1912, the suspect, 28, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 years to life. On September 23, 1913, he died in prison of tuberculosis. Officer Knapp had served with the Albuquerque Police Department for ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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.
Officer Knapp gave the Albuquerque Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albuquerque community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Knapp.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Albuquerque Police Department has lost 15 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Alexander is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Alexander is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alexander is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1912, 1 officer at Albuquerque Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1886, with 2.
In 1912, 1 officer in NM was killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Alexander was 50. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Albuquerque Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 46.3; the middle age was 35.5. Alexander had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Alexander was 50. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Alexander had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alexander was 50. 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. Alexander had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Alexander was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Alexander had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.7% of these deaths at Albuquerque Police Department; February holds the most, 30.8%. Mondays: 7.7%.
January holds 7.3% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Mondays: 11.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 86.7% of all 15 deaths at Albuquerque Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 17.9% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Albuquerque Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Alexander among them.
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E. D. Henry
Nov 20, 1886
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Robert McGuire
Nov 26, 1886
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Alexander Knapp Jan 15, 1912
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Donald W. Redfern
Aug 15, 1951
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Frank A. Sjolander, Jr.
Dec 1, 1954
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Richard Armijo
Sep 30, 1958
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Max R. Oldham
Feb 21, 1959
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Philip Horace Chacon
Sep 10, 1980
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Gerald Eugene Cline
Feb 24, 1983
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Kenneth Shawn McWethy
Feb 1, 1986
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John Arthur Carrillo
Feb 22, 1987
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Jeffrey Cole Russell
Jan 8, 2002
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Michael R. King
Aug 18, 2005
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Richard W. Smith, Jr.
Aug 18, 2005
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Daniel Scott Webster
Oct 29, 2015
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
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