Norfolk Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Friday, September 28, 2001
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 0177
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 28, 2001
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
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. He is survived by his wife and six-year-old daughter.