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Incident
Patrolman Carpenter was killed when he was struck by a stolen vehicle while attempting to set up a roadblock on the I-264 off-ramp at Belmont Avenue. He and another officer had set up their patrol cars to block the exit ramp, but to allow enough space for the car to come through. The vehicle began to slow down, but the driver accelerated as Patrolman Carpenter came through the opening between the patrol cars. Patrolman Carpenter was struck and knocked 75-feet then was run over by the vehicle. The 18-year-old driver of the vehicle was eventually apprehended and charged with murder, hit-and-run, vehicle larceny, and driving without a license. A judge issued an order which had him committed to the Central State Hospital for a mental evaluation. Patrolman Carpenter had been with the Portsmouth Police Department for one year and had been a military policeman for the three prior years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Carpenter gave the Portsmouth Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portsmouth community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
David W. Carpenter served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Portsmouth Police Department has lost 10 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 1 officer at Portsmouth Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1967, 4 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 22. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Portsmouth Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 39.8; the middle age was 32.5. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
David was 22. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 22. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 22. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 16.7% of these deaths at Portsmouth Police Department; November holds the most, 16.7%. Tuesdays: 50%.
February holds 8.7% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Tuesdays: 13%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 10 deaths at Portsmouth Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Portsmouth Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, David among them.
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John Wilson Nov 11, 1871
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William S. Winningder
Aug 11, 1908
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Elridge Rochelle Story
Nov 30, 1936
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John J. Nobrega
Jan 29, 1958
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David W. Carpenter
Feb 7, 1967
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Earl Phillips Wilkins
Apr 9, 1968
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William Harvey Austin
Jun 18, 1969
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Joseph Martin Weth Jr.
May 28, 1982
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Garland Lindwood Joyner, Jr.
Mar 18, 1984
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Richard Lee Spaulding
Nov 23, 2005
Where
Military Service
David W. Carpenter served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit David W. Carpenter’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Portsmouth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
