Patrolman Knox | Star #2759

Patrolman Terrence J. Knox, Star #2749, aged 63 years, was a 10 year, 0 month, 3 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, from the 6th District – Gresham.

On March 7, 1969, Officer Knox was driving his squad car when he spotted a youth near Hirsch High school whom he suspected was a school-truant. Officer Knox exited his vehicle at 7727 South Drexel Avenue and inquired as to why the youth, now known as Joseph Pannell, age 21 a U.S. Navy deserter and member of the Black Panthers, was not inside of the school. Pannell then opened fire on Officer Knox firing thirteen times. Officer Knox was struck four times by a 9mm bullet and survived the incident.

Joseph Pannell was arrested and jumped bond on May 10, 1971. In 1973, Officer Knox found and arrested Pannell again, the presiding judge set Pannell’s bond at $100,000, which he posted 10%. Pannell once again jumped bond on July 23, 1974 and fled the country to Canada. Pannell’s bond was forfeited and on September 24, 1974 Judge Raymond K. Berg awarded Officer Knox $9,000 from Pannell’s bond. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office later requested Judge Berg vacate his own ruling which awarded Knox the $9,000. Judge Berg denied their request.

Officer Knox resigned from the Department on March 1, 1978 as a result of his injuries and went on to become a successful businessman. He was hired by AT&T and was eventually promoted to the rank of Sales Director and retired in 2010.

In 2004, Knox asked Superintendent Phil Cline to reopen his case. The Department’s cold case squad was assigned to look into Knox’s case. Joseph Pannell was found living under the alias of Douglas Freeman in Toronto, Canada. Pannell was extradited to the United States. Officer Knox helped broker a plea deal which required Pannell, the now librarian, to serve 30 days in prison and donate $250,000 of his legal defense fund to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. Pannell who did not apologize to Officer Knox for attempting to murder him in 1969, addressed the court and said, “…It was an American tragedy. By this plea, I accept responsibility for the part I played in that tragedy.“ Joseph Pannell a.k.a. Douglas Freeman has since been expelled from Canada. He has been petitioning the Canadian Government to make an exception and ignore his criminal background and grant him re-entrance to Canada.

Officer Knox suffered permanent damage to his left arm in the incident and was left with limited use of his arm. Officer Knox would be forced onto the Disability Pension Roll (DPR) and spend the rest of his life suffering from illnesses caused by the blood transfusions required to save his life. While successful in private industry, Terrence Knox also made contributions to his former fellow officers. He never forgot. He joined causes to help officers wounded in the line of duty. He lobbied for legislation to make it harder for bail jumpers, like Pannell / Freeman to be released again. Officer Terrence Knox passed away on May 8, 2011, after a prolonged illness caused by blood transfusions.

Officer Knox’s funeral mass was held at Our Lady of the Woods Church. He was laid to rest on May 12, 2011 in Good Shepherd Cemetery, 16201 104th Avenue, Orland Park, Illinois.

Patrolman Terrence J. Knox, born June 25, 1947, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on February 26, 1968.

Patrolman Knox was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his wife, Diana; children: Christine (Martin) Gramlick and Charlene (Nathan) Livingston; siblings: Dennis Knox, Nancy Kermer and Thomas Knox and granddaughter, Evelyn. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #69H075389.