Gary R. Knickerbocker

Longtime Prairie du Chien Chief of Police, Gary R. Knickerbocker, age 78 passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022, at Great River Care Center in McGregor, IA. He was born in Galena, IL on April 27, 1943, the son of Ruben and Lillian (Spores) Knickerbocker. Their family moved to Waukon, IA before settling in Prairie du Chien. He graduated from Prairie du Chien High School and later worked locally at National Decorated Metals. Gary married Judith Eilers at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church on June 27, 1964. He began his law enforcement career as a radio dispatcher and part-time officer for the department in 1964. He then became an investigator and Chief Deputy in Crawford County before being appointed Chief of Police for Prairie du Chien on July 15, 1973. He served as Chief of Police in Prairie du Chien for 25 years until retirement in 1997. He received numerous honors and awards, including being named the 1972 American Legion Police Officer of the Year, Wisconsin Jaycee’s 1973 Outstanding Police Officer of the Year, and Eagles 1996 State Police Officer of the Year. He was also a member of the Prairie du Chien Police and Fire Commission until recent. He enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Judy; their children Tanya and Tom (Jeannine) Knickerbocker; his grandchildren Jackson and Brandon Knickerbocker; nephew Wayne Parker and niece Shari Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant child Jackie, and his sister Agnes Parker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Gabriel’s Church of the Holy Family Parish, Msgr. Charles Stoetzel officiating with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery, both in Prairie du Chien. Friends may call at the Garrity Funeral Home on Friday, January 21, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of departure for church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Feriole Island Park in Prairie du Chien.   

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