Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Knutson; Its hard to believe that it has been 19 years since we rode motors together and that it all came to a tragic end . Rest In Peace my brother.

Trooper (Retired) Travis Qualls
Arizona Highway Patrol

July 10, 2017

"Most men proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?" Proverbs 20:6. In reading thru the letters, I can see that Doug was a faithful husband, father, co-worker, servant and a godly man. I knew Doug and his family thru the teen years. He was kind, respectful towards others, esp. his parents and God. He had a wonderful family of which I admired. I pray for his dear family who must miss him dearly. May they all be greatly comforted and blessed. Doug was a wonderful young man.
from; Janice Scrivner Miller

Janice Miller
family friend

November 24, 2013

Long before Doug became a DPS officer, one of his jobs was installing flooring. My family and Doug's family were longtime friends thru church. In my memory, Doug is sitting on my newly installed dining room carpet, with his back against the wall...taking a rest from the installation. He had such a quick witt with a dry, sarcastic delivery. We all had fun as jokes flew back and forth all day. I will never forget his handsome face as we all sat eating the lunch I had prepeared. One comment he made still stands out in my memory: "Girl... you make a mean sandwich." I know now that in that moment, his dream was not to install carpet..but to become a police officer. Doug loved serving others. What a great big sweetheart of a man.All these years have gone by and STILL when I make a sandwich I smile. I pray for his family and thank God that I knew him.

Dara

Dara McKaig
friend

July 3, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

February 6, 2013

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

January 1, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 14th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered.. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 2, 2012

Doug, I will never forget the day I was broken down on the freeway. Upset and even a little angry, I didn't have a phone to call anyone. As I sat wondering what my best and safest action would be, a saw a DPS motorcycle pull in behind me.
Your big frame and easy going style brought calmness to my situation. Knowing all I needed to do is make a phone call, you reached behind you and pulled out your personal cell phone. I made the call I needed to make and soon was on my way again.

Not knowing you, but knowing of you, it was a great to sit and chat a few minutes.

As I have watched from a distance, your legacy lives on with your wife. Every time I see her on tv or hear of the work she is doing with the 100 club, I am reminded of you.

The pain of losing a spouse I can't imagine. But Sharon has taken this experience and has reached a world!

Anonymous

December 8, 2009

Approximately 12 years have past since our special conversation; the one that all fathers should expect from respectful young men when asking for his daughter's life long hand. With much support of Sharon and David, Misty and I have lived through 11 strong growing years together. We have 4 young, vibrant, beautiful children, who can never seem to hear enough about their Grandpa Doug. It's funny as I write this entry, our youngest blue eyed son, Richard (Ricky), points to your picture yelling in excitement, "Hey that's Grandpa Doug!"

The past five years Misty has really lived to follow your example as she has pursued her own career as A DPS officer. She is so diligent to train and keeps her eye on the prize.

Thank-you Doug for intrusting within me the priviledge of leading, following, learning with and loving Misty. I will always look to your example and be forever grateful with the vote of confidence you afforded me.

John Snyder
Son in Law

June 3, 2009

Officer Knutson...Thank you for your service to Arizona and to our country. May your name and memory be everlasting.

Lieutenant
Dept. of Defense, Retired

December 6, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 30, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 14, 2007

I know for a fact from 1980 to the present, I have never met a more solid, honest, protective, loving person & father. I wish everyday that people in the entire world could have the peace of 3818, not the badge, but the man. I love you, Doug. I love you, Justin, Cassie, Gracie, Misty, John and kids. Y'all have the most incredible life and don't even know it. Ricky, you have never left my heart. God rest your souls and party like Rockstars. Because you two men deserve it.

Tim Latty
MY FRIEND HERO

October 10, 2007

Rest in Peace, Officer Knutson. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 14, 2007

Each day you are missed tremendously. Each day I drive on the 202 and pass the place where you were so quickly taken from us. I whisper a prayer for all of your fellow officers that still protect us each and every day. You lived your life with intention and integrity. What more could anyone ask for? Thank you.

Carrie Lynn Swearengin
Friend

May 19, 2006

I never met you but I have heard many wonderful things about you. You touched many lives in a positive way. In fact, just the other day, I overheard a conversation involving some of the SO guys and some HP officers. They spoke very highly of you. Rest in peace, Sir.

AW
Yuma Co SO

August 4, 2005

Dear Doug:
I am in Houston, Texas today and couldn't help but think of all the times Sharon mentioned that you were really just a cowboy at heart. I often think about you and what you might be doing on this day if you were in your home state. Sharon is a wonderful person, wonderful mother, grandmother and wife. After our 5th wedding anniversary, I feel I know you much better:) I just want you to know that I do my best to live up to being the best husband to Sharon, best fill-in father to your children Justin and Misty, and best grandfather to your grandchildren Sharon Gaile, Leora and little Johnnie...who would have ever thought back in 1986, when I was your training sergeant at the academy, that I would one day fill in for you as Sharon's husband and protector??

Say hi to Jesus, face to face, Doug.

David Felix (aka Sharon's husband :)

Lt. Col. David Felix
Arizona Dept. of Public Safety

June 9, 2004

Our deepest condolences to the Family, friends and co-workers of Officer Knutson.

Newark NJ PD Auto Theft Task Force

February 29, 2004

OFFICER KNUTSON,
I PERSONALLY NEVER MET YOU, HOWEVER, THIS REFLECTION,AS YOUR LOOKING DOWN, IS TO INFORM YOU YOUR LEGACY AND STORY LIVES ON. I'M A MEMBER OF THE EASTERN CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION IN N.C. I HAD THE OPPERTUNITY TO TRAVEL TO NEW YORK IN NOV. OF 2001. I WAS THERE DOING PEER DEBRIFINGS FOR N.Y.'S FINEST,TRYING TO HELP MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AS BEST I COULD,JUST LENDING AN EAR OR SHOULDER TO CRY ON. IT WAS A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE,ONE I WILL NEVER FORGET. WHILE THERE I MET THE WIFE YOU LEFT BEHIND. SHE TOLD ME YOUR STORY AND HOW MUCH YOU MEANT TO HER AND HOW SHE NOW HAS DEDTICATED HER LIFE TO HELPING SURVIVORS OF OFFICERS FAMILIES, TO DEAL WITH THEIR LOSS. I COLLECTED A PATCH, NOT JUST ANY PATCH, SHE TOLD ME IT WAS YOUR "WORN"UNIFORM PATCH,AN HONOR TO OWN, I FEEL LIKE I KNOW YOU. DOUG AS YOU WATCH FROM ABOVE YOUR LOSS HAS AFFECTED AND TOUCHED COUNTLESS LIVES,INCLUDING MINE. GOD HAS A REASON FOR EVERYTHING,EVEN IF IT'S HARD FOR US BACK HERE TO UNDERSTAND OR DEAL WITH. TAKE CARE UP THERE BROTHER,LOOK OVER US DOWN HERE.
INV.M.W.STALLS MARTIN CO S.O.
NORTH CAROLINA

investigator m.w.stalls
martin county s.o.,north carolina

February 15, 2004

To the family of this fine Officer I would like to express my sorrow for your tragic loss. He is a true hero. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. May God bless you and your family. AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

September 17, 2003

On behalf of the men and women of the Virginia State University Police Department, our thoughts and prayers to the Knutson family and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.


"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

"Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them."
Hebrews 6:10

Ptlmn. D.W.Reichhardt U-125
Virginia State University Police Department Chesterfield, Virginia

Doug,
We only met less than a handfull of times. The last time I saw you I was a confused 18 year old kid that had dropped out of college. The day we spent together talking left me with a lasting impression of what I wanted to do with my life...be like you. I went back to school. I got a job in security and private investigations. Now I am doing what I knew I wanted to do since the day we last talked. I got on with the Sheriff's office in Austin. Your memory drives me to continue my career and press forward through the difficult times I face.
I remember the day dad called and said you had passed on. I couldn't believe it. I still have not forgotten. I am starting a family of my own now. I am doing the job I want to do. Every day I strive to do things that I know you would look down at and be proud. I miss you and only hope I can live a life as full of love, family, and friends as yours.
Wade Knutson
Travis County Sheriff's Office

Officer
Travis County Sheriff's Office

Fundamentally, we all move forward one moment at a time. With each tick of the clock we pass through another moment, and it is important that we each remember that our concern should be to leave something, or do something of value in each moment of life. It's not what we take away from life that adds quality, but what we leave, that is held suspended for all of eternity. Doug, there is no doubt in my mind that you have treasures unmeasured in your storehouse of deeds. Your handprint is still felt in our lives.

Dan Bugg
City of Hot Springs

To Doug,

I miss you Doug. You were a special person.
I remember all the times we played ball together at church.
You always wanted to pitch in softball, always wanting to shoot in basketball. Like the song goes, the good die young.
But I know your home with Ricky, playing ball with him...I will see you again someday, and maybe I will let you pitch then. me

Ron Burris

Doug, Not a day goes by that I don't think of the wonderful gifts that you gave me. You gave me three wonderful kids and left me a legacy. Your reputation and influence on others have allowed me to follow in your footsteps. As of December 2001, I have become the executive director of the 100 Club, an organization that provides immediate financial assistance when an officer or fire fighter is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. They were the first group that came to me after your death. I now can give back to those who gave to me and I have an opportunity to help the families that have to walk in my shoes. Your memory lives on as I share our story. When I speak to the new cadets I always challenge them to live a good life, not a long life. Your life has been an example to so many. Your life and death has taught me so much. Thank you for these gifts of life! Always, Sharon

Spouse- Sharon

Doug,

It's been over four years since that horrible morning in January. I still remember it so clearly. I was still in advanced basic, when the news came in of a 962A. They told me who it was, and I was floored. I recalled that night, several weeks ago, when I met you at US. I was still in the academy, on a ride-a-long. I felt out of place, and scared, when you walked into the report room. You took the time out of your day to say hi, and ask how I was doing. Your slow drawl was re-assuring and calming. I felt better after our short talk. The next time I saw you was at the church on another January morning. I felt the loss like we were life long friends. I carry your memory everyday, and feel you, Skip, Brett, and the others with me on every stop. I always figured Heaven had a traffic problem, and that's why you all were called home. Thanks for all you did in the short time we spent together.

Brad Elliott, #5286
AZ DPS