Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Elijah Chenault was killed when he was struck over the head with a stick while attempting to seize property from a woman who had failed to pay a debt.
A struggle ensued, during which the woman struck him over the head, causing a fatal wound.
The subject was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one year in jail and fined $85. The fine was later dismissed by President James Monroe after she served her jail term.
Constable Chenault had served as a constable for Alexandria off and on for over 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-3C6DE58E- 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
203 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Chenault gave the Alexandria Police Department 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alexandria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Elijah 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Alexandria Police Department, 13 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elijah Chenault's cause is highlighted.
How Elijah Chenault Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1 year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elijah Chenault is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elijah Chenault was killed by blunt object.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Alexandria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
