Portsmouth Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Saturday, November 11, 1871
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 11, 1871
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
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.