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James B. Gilbert
Agency patch
Police Officer

James B. Gilbert

Norfolk Police Department — Norfolk, VA
Felonious
United States flag Virginia flag
End of Watch September 28, 2001
Age 28
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 331 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 38

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

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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

Department Norfolk Police Department
Type Other
Location Norfolk, VA
Platform Identity npd.norfolk.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 28, 2001
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 28
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

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

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Compare against
I

Time

In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 28. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Norfolk Police Department has 39 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer James B. Gilbert

Norfolk Police Department · End of Watch September 28, 2001

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E

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