Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Nobrega succumbed to injuries sustained on December 15, 1957, at the intersection of Gosport Road (modern-day Portsmouth Boulevard) and Elm Avenue. He and his partner were on patrol when their patrol car was struck in the intersection. The other driver was charged with reckless driving. Patrolman Nobrega was treated for a broken rib and contusion of his spine. He was re-admitted to the hospital on January 14, 1958, and remained hospitalized until passing away from complications of his injuries on January 29, 1958. Patrolman Nobrega had served with the Portsmouth Police Department for 28 years and was the longest serving member of the department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two adult children, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-92CAD779- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Nobrega gave the Portsmouth Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Portsmouth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Nobrega.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John J. Nobrega is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In VA, 203 of 654 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31% of this state's fallen.
At Portsmouth Police Department, 3 of 10 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Nobrega's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Nobrega Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Nobrega is highlighted in Jan.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Portsmouth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
