FERNDALE, Wash. — Officials at Harborview Medical Center announced this afternoon that Michael Knapp, age 79, died today, November 6th, as a result of injuries suffered in a car vs pedestrian collision yesterday in Lynden.
The family is asking for privacy during their time of grieving. They are quoted in a press release from Harborview Medical Center, “Michael was a family man that touched many and will be sorely missed. He offered so much to his family, friends and community. Thank you for allowing us this private time to cherish his memories and life. There will be a celebration of his life at a future date.”
Knapp had served as chief of police in Ferndale from 2005 to 2016. Knapp and his wife, Nancy, remained in Ferndale after his retirement from the FPD and were frequent volunteers and participants in community events.
Knapp later served in the role of interim chief of police in Blaine and was currently doing so in Lynden.
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Mr. Knapp was born and raised in the San Francisco area and is a graduate of San Jose State University and Santa Clara University School of Law. He was appointed a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1971 and was promoted into the Senior Executive Service as the Deputy Chief, Office of Public and Congressional Affairs, FBI Headquarters, Washington, DC, from which he retired in 1997.
He was a former police officer with the Milpitas, California Police Department and a Deputy Sheriff with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Knapp was Chief of Police for the City of Medina, Washington between 1998 and 2003, and was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Ferndale, Washington in September 2005.
Mr. Knapp was a member of the California Bar Association and is a graduate of the 100th Session of the FBI National Academy and the Foreign Service Institute, United States Department of State. He served in the United States Army.
Chief Knapp served on the board of the Bellingham-Whatcom County Domestic Violence Commission, the Whatcom County Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board, Whatcom County Medical Examiners Advisory Council, The Northwest Regional Drug Task Force Executive Board, The Boys and Girls Club (Ferndale Branch) Advisory Board, and the Ferndale Senior Citizens Center Board of Directors. He acted as Judge Advocate for American Legion, Post 154 and chaired the Whatcom County Sheriff and Police Chiefs Association.
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