Ashland Police Department, Oregon
End of Watch: Thursday, November 19, 1931
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 19, 1931
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Two at large; one paroled
Police Officer Victor Knott was shot and killed while on patrol in the city's railroad district.
He and another man attempted to question three men they located at the city's railroad station, near the intersection of A Street and 5th Street, at approximately 4:00 am. One of the three drew a revolver and shot at the officers as they approached, killing Officer Knott. Despite his wounds, he and the other officer were able to return fire as the men fled.
One of the suspects was apprehended days later in Denver, Colorado. A army discharge with his name and address was found in a wrecked car the suspects fled in near Portland. It was discovered the 27-year-old suspect was wanted in Anderson, California, for burglary of a store the night before Officer Knott was killed. On March 1, 1932, he was convicted of complicity in murder and sentenced to life. On December 22, 1942, he was paroled when his sentence was reduced to 10 years. The other two suspects were identified but never apprehended.
Officer Knott was a WWI veteran. He was survived by his wife and four children.