Portsmouth Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Age: 49
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 1672
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: November 23, 2005
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Rick Spaulding suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after being involved in a vehicle and foot pursuit.
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 9 years; 6 years as a full time officer and 3 years as an auxiliary officer. He is survived by his wife, two children, and one grandchild.