Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Still missing you Charlie. The community is poorer due to your death. Peace brother.

Rick Ritter
Vet center

April 13, 2024

Officer Knepple,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Armed Forces-especially in Vietnam as a Military Policeman. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 28, 2022

Never forgotten. Thank you for your service to others. God bless your family.

Probation Officer Scott Ritter
Delaware County, Ohio Adult Court Services

September 3, 2020

Probation Officer Knepple, rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2019

Sir, I do not know you, but learned of your great sacrifice in the line of duty while attending a Blue Courage training course. You are not forgotten. Thank you for your service. God Bless.

Supervising Probation Officer R Juanengo
San Diego County Probation

January 31, 2018

I was a young PO when this happened and it helped me be more aware of things that can happen in this profession and mindful of clients with mental health issues. This was very influential in my career. I was honored to receive the memorial scholarship award in 2003. Continuing your work Charlie and hope we make you proud.

Chief Probation Officer, Terri Bodine
Shelby County Probation

April 26, 2017

R.I.P. dad, you are truly missed. Thank you everyone for the kind words.

Scott Knepple
Son

September 15, 2015

Charlie, you were my mentor. I am forever grateful for the time you spent teaching me how to be a probation officer. You truly molded me in to the officer I have become today. I hope that I have made you proud. Your kindness, compassion and fairness for all people, even offenders, has never been lost on me. Your picture remains on my desk after all these years and each day I look to you. God Bless your soul!

Angela Grande, Probation Officer
Allen County Adult Probation

April 28, 2014

We miss you, Charlie. You were a real gentleman and officer.

Kerry McLaughlin
Retired Indiana Parole Office and Pima Co. (AZ) Superior Court

May 10, 2013

Rest in Peace, Probation Officer Knepple. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2013

To the family of Officer Donald Knepple,
I do not know you, but thanks to my Instructor/Professor-Tracy Blackwell, I have to come to know the extrodinary man that you were and forever will be, and the extrodinary work you did on a daily basis to help others.
Your unselfishness, consideration, love for life and others and your work will never, ever be forgotten.
It brings joy to my heart that you are now an angel, looking down, watching over all of us.
So, I just wanna say thank you for fighting for me and my family, thank you for fighting for all us all...And most of all, THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN GIVING OTHERS ANOTHER CHANCE AND THANK & SALUTE YOU, FOR NEVER, EVER GIVING UP...Lotasha S. Williams..

LOTASHA S. WILLIAMS
STUDENT OF INSTRUCTOR TRACY BLACKWELL

January 17, 2013

I do not know how I came about this website. I did not know you, but I knew your daughter. We were in school at the time when we heard you had passed. Was a very sad day for the family. I will always remember this sad day, also because it was my birthday you had passed away. So very sorry how things happened that day.

Laura M.
Friend of your daughter.

January 4, 2013

I learned about Officer Knepple’s tragic story in a training conference for Probation Parole Officers in West Virginia. Thank you for your service. God Bless you.

You are remembered.

Aaron Linn Probation Parole Officer III
West Virginia Division of Corrections Parole Services

September 16, 2012

Looks like a good, honest man. R.I.P.

J. Hastings

July 14, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 28, 2010

You have not been forgotten. Thank you for your dedicated service to others.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 28, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

April 29, 2008

"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

October 23, 2007

Rest well. You stood tall protecting your country and community. We pray for you and all our brothers and sisters in law enforcement

Anonymous
Fellow Probation Officer.

May 26, 2007

A decade has passed and you have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. Thank you for your dedicated service to law enforcement and to your Country. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 28, 2007

Uncle Charlie,

I did not know you. I so wish that I had. I have reviewed your exemplary record of public service and can gleam from it a loving, caring, and self-sacrificing man. You are in my thoughts often. I will take the best of care of your niece M. You have my word.

April 22, 2007

Charly, I have been asked to help finish your memorial. God knows you deserve it. I talked to Linda the other day, even though it has been almost 10 years it is still hard for her to look through the pictures. Linda and the kids miss you so much, we all miss you greatly. As your 10 year anniversary aproaches it seems to be harder to live without you. I didn't know you well but it doesn't make a difference I still miss you lots. I know you are in heaven waiting for us to join you until then watch over us and I will finish your memorial.

Lt. Elizabeth Fischer
Fort Wayne Student Police, Law Enforcement Explorers

December 12, 2006

Charlie, I wasn't old enough to know you very well but your death had a great impact on our church. We miss you greatly and always will. Even though I didn't know you well, your death had an influence on my future as I am now on my way toward becoming an officer. You will always be in the heart of those at Calvary Third United.

Sgt. Elizabeth Fischer
Fort Wayne Student Police, Law Enfortment Explorers

October 6, 2006

Charlie, I'm glad that Jeff Williams worked so hard and fought to get your name put back on ODMP and to get probation officers clarified as law enforcement officers.
Your sacrifice was just as important as any one else listed on this page. You gave the ultimate price in order to keep the citizens of Allen County safe. The duty of the probation officer it to "balance the needs of the community and the offender". Sometimes that's a hard thing to balance but on that day, you were the weight that kept it even. Fellow PO's in Indiana continue to think about you and your family each year at the annual meeting in May in which a scholarship is given in your memory. Watch over all the rest of PO's in Indiana and keep us safe as we do our jobs day in and day out.

Deputy Probation Officer Cory Walker
Jennings County Superior Court Probation Department

August 28, 2006

Officer Knepple,
It ahs taken over 9 years, but you are finally being honored. I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Allen County.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

August 28, 2006