John C. Knight was a 38-year-old Chicago Police Department officer killed on January 9, 1999, while on duty in the Morgan Park District. He and his partner, Patrolman James E. Butler, approached a brown 1986 Chevy Caprice with a popped trunk lock that officers suspected was stolen. The vehicle fled, a short pursuit ended in a crash at 9900 South Parnell Avenue, and several occupants, including 23-year-old James Scott, emerged and opened fire. Officer Knight was shot twice in the head and once in the abdomen and died from his wounds.

A blood trail in the snow led to Scott’s capture. He was later convicted of first-degree murder and faced charges for the attempted murder of Officer Butler; during the penalty phase he pleaded guilty to an unrelated murder and received life without parole, and he waived his right to appeal in Knight’s case. Knight had served ten years with the department and was survived by his wife, three children, two brothers, a sister, and his parents, one of whom was also a Chicago police officer.

Does anyone have memories of Officer Knight’s service or information about the shooting that could add context to what happened?