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Incident
Patrolman Frank Knoebel was shot and killed while questioning a burglary suspect in the basement of the Odd Fellows Hall on Mulberry Street. Upon his arrival, the janitor led Patrolman Knoebel to a man sitting in a chair near the furnace. Chief Stewart soon arrived and advised him to stall the suspect while he went to get a witness to identify him. Soon afterward, the suspect tried to flee and during a struggle, the suspect pulled a gun and fired two shots, striking Patrolman Knoebel in the abdomen. Patrolman Knoebel was able to get the gun away from the suspect and climb a flight of stairs to block the exit, while the janitor subdued the suspect until Chief Stewart returned and took him into custody. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. In 1949, the governor granted clemency and commuted the offender's sentence to life in prison with time served. He was released from prison and has since died. Patrolman Knoebel had served with the Madison Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his son.
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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Knoebel gave the Madison Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Knoebel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Frank is the only officer of Madison Police Department remembered here.
Frank is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank 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 1930, 4 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 42. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Frank was 42. 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. Frank had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Tuesdays: 15.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Madison Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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