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Incident
Patrolman Rick Spaulding suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after being involved in a vehicle and foot pursuit in Portsmouth.
Patrolman Spaulding and other officers took the two suspects into custody following the foot pursuit. As Patrolman Spaulding transported one of the men to police headquarters, he suffered a heart attack. His vehicle left the roadway, went down an embankment, and struck a tree at the junction of Portsmouth Boulevard and I-264. Other officers located the car and immediately began CPR.
He was transported to Maryview Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The prisoner being transported suffered only minor injuries.
Patrolman Spaulding had served with the Portsmouth Police Department for nine years; six years as a full-time officer, and three years as an auxiliary officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and one grandchild.
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.
Patrolman Spaulding gave the Portsmouth Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portsmouth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Spaulding.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Portsmouth Police Department has lost 10 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Richard is one of 25 officers lost to cardiac events in VA, 3.8% of the 653 remembered there.
Richard is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 2 officers in VA were lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 21 years on record. The heaviest was 1962, with 3.
In 2005, 21 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2005, 21 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Richard was 49. Of the 23 lost to cardiac events in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 50; the middle age was 47. Richard had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Richard was 49. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Richard had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Richard was 49. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Richard had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
November holds 20% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 24%. Wednesdays: 16%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 10% of all 10 deaths at Portsmouth Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 653 deaths in VA, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Portsmouth Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
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John Wilson Nov 11, 1871
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William S. Winningder
Aug 11, 1908
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Elridge Rochelle Story
Nov 30, 1936
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John J. Nobrega
Jan 29, 1958
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David W. Carpenter
Feb 7, 1967
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Earl Phillips Wilkins
Apr 9, 1968
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William Harvey Austin
Jun 18, 1969
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Joseph Martin Weth Jr.
May 28, 1982
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Garland Lindwood Joyner, Jr.
Mar 18, 1984
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Richard Lee Spaulding
Nov 23, 2005
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Portsmouth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
