Sergeant James Francis Knight

Sergeant James Francis Knight | Union City Police Department, New Jersey
Union City Police Department, New Jersey
Sergeant James Francis Knight

Union City Police Department, New Jersey

End of Watch Thursday, March 5, 1931

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James Francis Knight

Sergeant James Knight was shot and killed when he and another officer attempted to stop a wrong-way vehicle in the 400 block of 12th Street.

As Sergeant Knight stepped from his car the occupants of the other vehicle opened fire, striking him in the head. The other officer returned fire. It was later determined that the occupants of the car had just been involved in a robbery of silk valued at $40,000. All six men were later apprehended. All six were convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 30 years. On January 23, 1933, all six were awarded new trials and released on bail when the Errors Court ruled they were wrongly convicted. One was shot and killed by an unknown assailant on October 25, 1934.

Sergeant Knight was survived by his wife and two daughters.

Bio

  • Age Not available
  • Tour Not available
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Apprehended
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As a Union City Park employee assigned to maintaining this park, I begin each day with a silent prayer honoring the memory of each of the six officers. Then I bow three times: once before the 16 line poem; once before the right monument; once before the left monument. As the poem declares, this park with its eternal flame symbol is "hallowed" and I serve in it with this atmosphere of deep, reverential respect.
It is during this month, March, that Sgt Knight is particularly remembered and not forgotten. His life of service was not in vain and he is honored as one of Union City's Finest.

Tony Squire
Union City Parks Department

March 6, 2021

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