Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Trooper Richard Champy was a graduate of Woodbury High School in Salem. He served in the United States Navy in the Vietnam War, before settling in Newbury, New Hampshire with his wife and two daughters.

Trooper Champy was hired by the New Hampshire State Police on January 20, 1969. He was assigned to the Troop D barracks in Bow where he was a member of the K-9 unit. He could often be found traveling with his bloodhound Smokey.

On February 3, 1978 Trooper Champy learned of a motorist who had been struck by another vehicle on his citizen band radio. The vehicle was located and Trooper Champy and Trooper Korbett pursued the vehicle as it tried to flee the scene. As they struggled to arrest a passenger of the vehicle, Trooper Champy suffered a heart attack.

At the time of his death, Trooper Champy was a nine year veteran of the New Hampshire State Police and was only 32 years old. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.