Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Billy Grimsley succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on December 7th, 2012, after representing the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office in the Poquoson Christmas Parade.
He was returning to Portsmouth when he struck a defect in the road at the intersection of Semple Farm Road and Magruder Boulevard in Hampton. He was thrown from the motorcycle and suffered several injuries, including a broken ankle.
He underwent surgery for the broken ankle and was on medical leave when he suddenly fell ill. He was transported to a local hospital, where he passed away a short time later. It was determined that he had suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism as a result of the ankle injury.
Deputy Grimsley had served with the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office as a full-time deputy for four years. He had previously served as an auxiliary deputy for eight years and as an auxiliary officer with the Portsmouth Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, sister, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-993E83D5- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Grimsley gave the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portsmouth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Grimsley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Billy Ray Grimsley 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 Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Billy Ray Grimsley's cause is highlighted.
How Billy Ray Grimsley Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Billy Ray Grimsley is highlighted in Feb.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Portsmouth Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
