John J. Nobrega
Agency patch
Patrolman

John J. Nobrega

Portsmouth Police Department — Portsmouth, VA
Accident
End of Watch January 29, 1958
Age 64
Tour of Duty 28 yrs
Badge 1
Gender Male

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
neuraspine_01krbxtn6wq6vj5w0ee14b17x2
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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

Type Police Department
Location Portsmouth, VA
Platform Identity ppd.portsmouth.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 29, 1958
Tour of Duty 28 yrs
Age 64
Badge Number 1
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1958, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 64. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Portsmouth Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, John among them.

VI

Where

Patrolman John J. Nobrega

Portsmouth Police Department · End of Watch January 29, 1958

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E

↑