Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Christopher Chenault was shot and killed by a blacksmith who was having a disagreement with his employer over the ownership of tools.
The employer called Marshal Chenault after the man threatened him.
The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death July 9th, 1910. His attorney immediately appealed his conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court. Early the next morning an angry mob broke into the Rayville Jail, dragged the suspect from his cell, and hanged him from a tree on the same spot where he killed Marshal Chenault. A note was found pinned to the dead man's clothing which read "This is the outcome of the appeal."
Town Marshal Chenault, On today, the 115th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Rayville.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) June 17th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-178D13D0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Chenault served with the Rayville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rayville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Chenault.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Christopher C. Chenault is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Rayville Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Christopher C. Chenault's cause is highlighted.
How Christopher C. Chenault Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Christopher C. Chenault is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Christopher C. Chenault was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rayville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
