Officer Rufus A. Hobbs, Norfolk Police Department, Virginia

Officer Rufus A. Hobbs

Norfolk Police Department, Virginia

End of Watch Friday, July 23, 1909

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Rufus A. Hobbs

Officer Rufus Hobbs succumbed to injuries sustained on June 24, 1909, when he was thrown from a horse at the intersection of City Hall Avenue and Brewer Street.

He was evaluating the horse for use on the Mounted Squad when it became frightened and bolted. He was thrown from the horse as it turned the corner onto Brewer Street. He suffered a serious injury when his head struck a streetcar rail on the roadway. He was hospitalized for a week before being sent home to recover, but his condition worsened and he died on July 23, 1909.

Officer Hobbs was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Norfolk Police Department for 20 years.

Bio

Age 43
Tour 20 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Animal related
Incident Date Thursday, June 24, 1909

mounted patrol

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Most Recent Reflection

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Officer Parks,
On today, the 116th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

July 23, 2025