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William J. Chapin
Incident
Sergeant William Chapin drowned in the Buttermilk Creek gorge in Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park while attempting to rescue two students who had been swept into the icy waters.
Sergeant Chapin was on one of his days off when he was called in to assist with the rescue. His body was found four days later.
Sergeant Chapin also served part-time with the New York State Park Police.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-M2XN-51JQ-Qearlier record number BO-US-NY-4AA64E4F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Chapin served with the Ithaca College Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management.
Thank you for your service to the Ithaca community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Chapin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
William is the only officer of Ithaca College Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management remembered here.
William is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.2% of the 2,126 remembered there.
William is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
William is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1986, 6 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 32nd heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1986, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1986, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 25. Of the 573 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37.
William was 25. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
William was 25. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
March holds 7.8% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 12.6%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ithaca College Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management.
Accident deaths account for 30.2% of all 2,126 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Ithaca College Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management are honored on badge.nw.