Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona
End of Watch Friday, January 2, 1998
Add to My HeroesDouglas Edward Knutson
Officer Douglas Knutson was killed after being struck by a vehicle while he was assisting a disabled motorist Loop 202, near the Scottsdale Road entrance ramp in Tempe.
He was waiting next to his motorcycle when he was struck by the driver who crossed the white line of the entrance ramp to the freeway. He was transported to Maricopa County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The motorist who struck him was detained and the freeway was closed for several hours after the incident.
Officer Knutson had served with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 12 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Bio
- Age 43
- Tour 12 years
- Badge 3818
Incident Details
- Cause Struck by vehicle
Most Recent Reflection
View all 29 ReflectionsDidn't know you, but read up about different laws in AZ and was curious about the gore zone (what it is, etc.). In researching that, I learned about what happened to you and stumbled upon this page.
By all accounts, you seem to have been a diligent, concerned, and professional officer who left behind a loving family. You seem to have been a great role model, sir, and I am grateful to have read your story. There are so many bad stories circulating nowadays from all sides, and it was heart-warming to hear about a genuinely kind officer who did all he could for those he was entrusted to protect.
My condolences to this officer's family. Thank you for continuing his legacy by being a beacon of hope for families of officers and firefighters whose loved ones have died in the line of duty.
JW
Random stranger from AZ
March 5, 2026
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.
Pennsylvania State Police, PA
EOW: March 8, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 7, 2026
Sergeant Kathleen M. Radziunas
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, NY
EOW: April 30, 2025
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry
North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC
EOW: March 1, 2026
Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL
EOW: November 23, 2025
Corporal David M. Hathcock
Montgomery Police Department, AL
EOW: February 22, 2026
Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo
Tennessee Department of Correction, TN
EOW: February 25, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 24, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 23, 2026