Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Wilson was shot and killed during a late-evening political rally at the intersection of High Street and Court Street. A group of drunk men started shooting, injuring two black people, during a Conservative Party of Portsmouth march. Patrolman Wilson attempted to intervene. Several people were arrested but no further information is known. Patrolman Wilson is believed to be one of the first black police officers to serve in the United States and to be one of the first black police officers ever killed in the line of duty.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-5697A27E- 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
155 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Wilson served with the Portsmouth Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Portsmouth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Wilson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Portsmouth Police Department, 6 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How John Wilson Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Wilson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Wilson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Portsmouth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
