North Greenbush

A 28-year-old suspect was identified but not charged Friday night in the fatal stabbing of city of Troy official William D. Chamberlain, town police said.

The suspect is Joseph M. Vandenburgh, who was out on parole on a burglary conviction, Chief Robert J. Durivage said. Vandenburgh of Wynantskill was sent to the Rensselaer County jail, as the state Division of Parole was filing a warrant against him for parole violation.

"The investigation is ongoing at this time and we still have many leads to pursue," Durivage said. During a press conference in front of the police station, he declined to provide details about possible evidence, including whether a weapon was recovered, when charges may be filed, a possible motive or whether the suspect and the victim knew each other.

However, the chief sought to reassure nervous residents near the slaying. "The residents of North Greenbush can feel safe tonight," the chief said, adding that unspecified forensic evidence already recovered is "significant."

Chamberlain, 56, of 16 Powell St., was killed in a furious attack in which he was stabbed up to 25 times, according to North Greenbush and Troy officials. A large military-style knife was found near his body, according to the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case.

He was found by his wife, who saw him collapsed on the front lawn of 6 Powell St., at the corner of Marion Avenue, at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday. The death sent shock waves through the North Greenbush neighborhood and Troy, where Chamberlain was the director of operations. He was said to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the city.

Vandenburgh, who sources say was apprehended at Crossgates Mall, was sentenced in 2007 when he was 19 years old in Rensselaer County Court to nine years in prison for a May 2005 burglary at a North Greenbush home that involved some kind of a weapon, according to Times Union archives. Vandenburgh was also given five years' post-release supervision.

Chamberlain's wife, Nancy, found him dying on a lawn near their home after the family dog, Otis, a small terrier he took for a walk late Thursday, came home alone, neighbor Charles "C.B." Smith said.

Chamberlain was described as putting up a hard-fought battle against his attacker, sources said.

The killing occurred in the town's Wynantskill neighborhood. People familiar with the case said Chamberlain took Thursday off from his job in Troy where he oversaw the department of public works and building projects.

"This doesn't happen here. This is a quiet neighborhood," said Smith, who lives across the intersection from where Chamberlain was found.

"I hope it is not a random act because that would be scary," he said.

Smith said an ambulance was called Thursday night, but Chamberlain appeared to already be dead. The ambulance left without a patient. Neighbors said they later saw officials place a body bag in a coroner's vehicle, which left the scene.

Before the suspect was announced, Durivage was urging people who were in the area Thursday night to call the department to pass on observations about anything that seemed unusual. People, he said, should not discount anything that raised even minor suspicions.

Chamberlain was a nearly 30-year city of Troy employee working since 2004 as director of operations. First hired in 1986, Chamberlain served under three mayors and multiple city managers,

Chamberlain was responsible for overseeing city functions that residents take for granted. He devised the city's snow removal plan; oversaw preparations for special events; was responsible for the city's streets; was in charge of the city's courtroom and police department expansion projects; and was responsible for emergency work such as the Brunswick Avenue landslide, repair of Campbell Avenue and working on repairing the Hudson River seawall.

He also was responsible for getting city employees relocated when the city twice changed city hall locations.

"Bill was a great city government administrator," Mayor Lou Rosamilia said.

Chamberlain also was fearless in telling elected and appointed officials what could and could not be done. He had a reputation for speaking directly to an issue and advising city leaders of the consequences when they did not act.

Co-workers described him as having a keen sense of humor.

Chamberlain's death leaves Troy without the official whose encyclopedic knowledge of city operations was unrivaled.

"You can't replace Bill," said Troy Mayor-elect Patrick Madden.

Chamberlain was a fixture on his street too, commonly seen walking his dog.

Nearby resident Jim Shear said he talked to Chamberlain nearly every day.

"He was a really nice guy," said his wife, Nina Shear.

Smith, who lives across the street from the stabbing scene, said investigators found a bloodied plastic drink container in the driveway of his next-door neighbor at 139 Marion Ave. and looked at a blood trail that led from there to where Chamberlain was found.

"They had that area roped off first, Smith said, referring to the driveway next door. "Then they moved to the middle of the intersection and then concentrated on the place where he was on the lawn."

A large blood stain remained on the lawn and the SUV of Chamberlain's wife remained parked nearby.

Investigators were also seen taking pictures of the driver's side interior of a car parked in the Chamberlains' driveway.

Neighbors said the couple has two college-age kids who recently came home on holiday recess.

Before dawn, detectives with flashlights could be seen searching for clues in the area. Mayor Rosamilia and other high-ranking city government officials visited the scene Thursday night.

"Last night, the City of Troy suffered a tragic loss with the passing of Bill Chamberlain," city Rosamilia said Friday in a prepared statement. "I am truly devastated by the loss of Bill, a dedicated father, husband and public servant. The impact of Bill's three decades of service to Troy cannot be measured. My heart goes out to his family — especially his wife Nancy, and his sons Ryan and Patrick. I ask that everyone keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."

Council President Rodney Wiltshire also issued a statement saying, "Bill was said to have run this city, and had a vast array of valuable knowledge and expertise. I enjoyed working closely with him on several city projects ... his loss will be felt deeply within the city, and it will be impossible to fill his shoes.

"This terrible crime should not have occurred and the timing makes it even worse for the family," Wiltshire said.

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call North Greenbush police at 518-283-5323.

Brian Nearing contributed to this story.