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Incident
Trooper Richard Champy suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with a hit-and-run suspect. He initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 89 in Lebanon after receiving a report of a vehicle running another vehicle off the road and not stopping. During the stop, Trooper Champy and another trooper struggled with the driver and passenger. During the altercation, Trooper Champy collapsed. He was unable to be resuscitated and died at a New London Hospital. The driver pleaded no contest to driving while intoxicated, was sentenced to 30 days plus a $500 fine, and was fined $100 for failing to stop after an accident. The passenger was found guilty of resisting arrest and intoxication and was sentenced to 30 days and fined $220 for resisting arrest and $27.50 for intoxication. He was found innocent of assaulting Trooper Champy. Trooper Champy was a United States Navy Vietnam War veteran and had served with the New Hampshire State Police for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Champy gave the New Hampshire State Police 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Hampshire, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Richard Francis Champy served in the U.S. Navy (1964â1968) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
New Hampshire State Police has lost 10 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
Richard is one of 14 officers lost to cardiac events in NH, 23.7% of the 59 remembered there.
Richard is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Richard is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 1 officer in NH was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1978, 19 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1978, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Richard was 32. Of the 14 lost to cardiac events in NH whose age is recorded, half were between 37.3 and 52.8; the middle age was 46.5. Richard had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Richard was 32. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Richard had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Richard was 32. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Richard had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
February holds 7.1% of these deaths in NH; October holds the most, 14.3%. Fridays: 21.4%.
February holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
February holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 20% of all 10 deaths at New Hampshire State Police, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 23.7% of all 59 deaths in NH, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
New Hampshire State Police has 10 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
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Raymond Elliott
Jun 1, 1947
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Harold B. Johnson
Oct 11, 1948
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Ivan H. Hayes
Jul 18, 1959
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Richard Francis Champy
Feb 3, 1978
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Gary P. Parker
Nov 29, 1989
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Joseph Edward Gearty
Nov 30, 1989
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James Stanwood Noyes
Oct 3, 1994
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Scott Edward Phillips
Aug 19, 1997
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Leslie George Lord
Aug 19, 1997
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Jesse Edward Sherrill
Oct 28, 2021
Military Service
Richard Francis Champy served in the U.S. Navy (1964–1968) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard Francis Champy’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New Hampshire State Police are honored on badge.nw.
