Prev
Incident
Sergeant Bill Chenard suffered a fatal heart attack while leading a group of rescuers up a mountain to recover the body of a camper on Long Trail near Sunderland. Sergeant Chenard had served with the Vermont State Police for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmqryr0by0x3z51m5a76- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Chenard gave the Vermont State Police 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Vermont. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Chenard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Vermont State Police has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
William is one of 3 officers lost to cardiac events in VT, 9.7% of the 31 remembered there.
William is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1987, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
William was 43. 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. William had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
William was 43. 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. William had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
June holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Vermont State Police, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.7% of all 31 deaths in VT, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Vermont State Police has 5 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Vermont State Police are honored on badge.nw.
