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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ralph Peckham was killed in a motorcycle crash while pursuing a speeding vehicle in North Bennington, two miles east of the New York state line.
He was transported to a local hospital after the crash and died two days later.
Deputy Peckham had served with the Bennington County Sheriff's Department for two weeks.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Peckham served with the Bennington County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bennington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Peckham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ralph is the only officer of Bennington County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Ralph is one of 12 officers lost to accidents in VT, 38.7% of the 31 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 2 officers in VT were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 99 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1935, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ralph was 28. Of the 12 lost to accidents in VT whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 54.5; the middle age was 46. Ralph had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 14.5 years.
Ralph was 28. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 28. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 25% of these deaths in VT, more than any other month. Mondays: 33.3%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bennington County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 38.7% of all 31 deaths in VT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
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