Before his attackers had fled, Knecht had just pulled up to his Sunset Hills home when he was surrounded by gunmen. They put a .44-caliber automatic to his head and demanded money. He turned over his wallet and his watch, but the next command he refused. “They wanted to handcuff me and take me into the house,” Knecht writes. “I knew it would be torture time. If I let them in, everyone would be killed.” Shaken but steadfast, he looked his assailants in the eye and said, “That’s not going to happen. It ends here, gentlemen.” Knecht was prepared to die rather than subject his 87-year-old mother, his wife, and their housekeeper to a similar fate. He braced himself — as it flashed through his mind that he would never see these three women or his two children again. Knecht realized he would not have a chance to say goodbye. He was prepared to take a bullet-- but got a blade instead.

One of the attackers pushed Knecht down and sliced through his throat. Seconds later, they took off, leaving him for dead. Clutching his neck with both hands, Knecht staggered to the house, hit 9-1-1 and collapsed. His wife, Dr. Ava Cadell, administered first aid and helped keep him alive until paramedics arrived 10 minutes later. After a two-hour surgery that included a tracheotomy, Knecht awoke to the comforting sight of his wife and friends.

Although he had survived, the outcome was uncertain. Would he ever speak again? Had he suffered permanent brain damage? Nobody knew at that time. Incredibly, the knife missed every vital artery and Knecht made a full recovery. Three weeks later, he was back at work. Six gang members were soon thereafter arrested in connection with the case. All confessed. Knecht’s wallet and jewelry were recovered.

Writes Knecht of the ordeal: “You never appreciate life enough, until you are in the position of losing it. We are all just so lucky to be alive and well, and that is something no one should forget.”

“This harrowing account showcases my late husband’s bravery and resilience, qualities that defined his illustrious career,” Dr. Ava Cadell adds.