Sign For A Fallen Hero: 'Honorary James Knapp Way' Dedicated For Fallen CCSO Officer

BRIDGEVIEW, IL—Cook County Sheriff’s Police Officer James Knapp never thought anyone would remember him. Twenty years after he died in the line of duty, fellow officers, public officials, and members of the officer’s family gathered to designate 76th Avenue from 100th Place to 103rd Avenue “Honorary James Knapp Way.”

Officer Knapp died on Jan. 4, 2006, in a traffic crash on his way to the Bridgeview Courthouse for a morning roll call, when his vehicle rear-ended a semi-trailer that had stopped to make a left turn on foggy, slick roads.

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The Cook County Sheriff’s officer was extricated from his vehicle and was rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. He was 50 years old.

Officer Knapp had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Police Department for 16 years. He was survived by his wife, a lieutenant with the department; two sons; his parents; and his brother.

“The most fitting thing about this memorial, I heard it so many times from my dad. He said that if something ever happened to him, nobody would remember him,” the officer’s son, James R. Knapp, told assembled guests. “I hope he sees how many people in this family care so much for him.”