Arthur L. Yeaw

Arthur Lewis “Bud” Yeaw (December 6, 1929 – May 13, 1983) served Vermont for decades with quiet dedication. Born in Brattleboro and raised on a large dairy farm in Guilford, Bud grew up learning the value of hard work, responsibility, and caring for others — lessons that shaped a life of public service. He studied at the Vermont State Agricultural School and graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1950, later serving with the Vermont National Guard and attending the State Police Training School in 1954.

Over more than thirty years with the Vermont State Police, Arthur Yeaw earned the respect of colleagues and the communities he served. He rose through the ranks, eventually serving as station commander at the Derby Barracks, and completed advanced leadership training including the Southern Police Institute’s 45th Administrative Officers Course. Those who worked with him remembered him as a steady presence who took his responsibilities to neighbors and fellow officers seriously.

Beyond his uniform, Bud’s life was rooted in family and community. He was one of ten children and carried with him the practical skills and compassion of his rural upbringing. Accounts preserved by the Vermont State Police note his warmth toward children and his long-standing ties to the Northeast Kingdom and southern Vermont communities where he lived and worked.

The State recognized his leadership and sacrifice by posthumously conferring the rank of lieutenant. His death on May 13, 1983, after an accidental firearm discharge while at the office, was met with sorrow across the department and the communities he served. The Vermont State Police and fellow troopers have continued to honor his memory in official remembrances.

Arthur L. “Bud” Yeaw is remembered for a life of steady public service, devotion to the work of policing, and the quiet resilience shaped by his Vermont roots. Those who knew him remember a committed officer and a man formed by family, farm, and a lifelong commitment to serving others.