Justin Knackstedt Memorial

Justin August Knackstedt was born in Saskatoon on December 6, 1989, and grew up with his siblings Trina and Dawson on a family farm in Wimmer. Surrounded by the prairie landscape and guided by his close-knit family, Justin developed a maturity beyond his years, often shadowing his grandfather and uncle as they worked with tractors and engines. His childhood was marked by outdoor adventures—camping, fishing, hunting, and riding dirt bikes—instilling in him both a love for nature and a deep respect for wildlife. Protective and caring, he was a devoted brother who always looked out for his younger siblings.

After graduating from Quill Lake School in 2008, Justin briefly worked in the oil sands before realizing his true calling lay outdoors. He pursued environmental resource law at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, graduating in 2011 and beginning his career as a conservation officer at Cypress Hills Provincial Park. Dedicated to protecting Saskatchewan’s natural resources, Justin approached his work with seriousness and passion, earning the respect of his colleagues. Despite the distance, he remained deeply connected to his family, often returning home to help on the farm, hunt, and inspire Dawson, who dreamed of following in his footsteps.

In May 2013, Justin transferred to the Saskatoon area, where his expertise led him into undercover work targeting poachers and traffickers. He embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, committed to safeguarding wildlife. Tragically, on May 31, while assisting at the scene of a car accident near Saskatoon, Justin was struck by a fleeing driver and lost his life at just 23 years old. His legacy endures in the fields he loved, the family he cherished, and the conservation work he made his mission.