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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alexandria Police Department has lost 17 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Elijah is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Elijah is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elijah is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1823, 1 officer at Alexandria Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1823, 1 officer in VA was killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1823, 2 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 190th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1823, 4 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 197th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elijah was 48. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Alexandria Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 40; the middle age was 32. Elijah had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Elijah was 48. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Elijah had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elijah was 48. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Elijah had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elijah was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Elijah had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 15.4% of these deaths at Alexandria Police Department; September holds the most, 30.8%. Mondays: 7.7%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 76.5% of all 17 deaths at Alexandria Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Alexandria Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, Elijah among them.
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Elijah Chenault Aug 4, 1823
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Gerrard Arnold Sep 9, 1827
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Julian F. Arnold
May 15, 1887
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George W. Crump Dec 28, 1893
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Walker W. Campbell
Feb 16, 1919
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Elton B. Hummer
Aug 18, 1928
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Charles R. McClary
Jun 20, 1929
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Whitfield W. Lipscombe
Sep 4, 1930
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August Perault Pierce
Sep 7, 1930
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Clarence J. McClary
Mar 17, 1935
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Robert B. Harris
Sep 11, 1948
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Bobby G. Padgett
Feb 4, 1959
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James W. Baber
Oct 19, 1962
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Eugene Yoakum
Sep 27, 1964
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Conrad Lee Birney
Dec 27, 1972
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Charles William Hill
Mar 22, 1989
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Morton Ford
Jun 18, 2011
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Alexandria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.













