Trooper Richard F. Champy
1945 - 1978

32 years old
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Died on February 3, 1978

Cause of Death: Heart Attack - Struggle

Date of Incident: Friday, February 3, 1978

Weapon Used : Physical Force

Suspect Info: Unknown

Trooper Champy was an eight-year veteran of the New Hampshire State Police and was stationed at Troop D in Bow. He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was a K-9 officer and usually traveled with his bloodhound, “Smokey.” He lived in Newbury, New Hampshire. He was a graduate of Woodbury High School in Salem and served in the United States Navy in the Vietnam War.

On February 3, 1978, Trooper Champy heard a call for assistance of a motorist whose car had been struck by another motorist. Trooper Champy, along with fellow Trooper Korbett pursued the fleeing vehicle and eventually stopped it.

During a struggle to arrest the passenger of the vehicle Trooper Champy suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 32 years old.

He was survived by his wife and his two daughters.