Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer James Gilbert was shot and killed when he and another officer responded to a report of a man making suicide threats at approximately 6:00 am.
The suspect, a member of the U.S. Navy, had called his father and told him he was going to commit suicide. The man's father called the Norfolk Naval Station, who then contacted police.
When the officers arrived at the off-base apartment they entered the open apartment. The officers observed the man leaning back on his bed holding a gun. Thinking the man was asleep they began to approach him down a hallway. The suspect then opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, fatally wounding Officer Gilbert in the head.
The other officer returned fire and killed the suspect.
Officer Gilbert had served with the Norfolk Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and six-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-E6374297- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Gilbert gave the Norfolk Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Norfolk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Gilbert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James B. Gilbert is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 656 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.1% of this state's fallen. That is 60.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Norfolk Police Department, 20 of 39 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James B. Gilbert's cause is highlighted.
How James B. Gilbert Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James B. Gilbert is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James B. Gilbert was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
38 officers from Norfolk Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
