Patrolman David W. Carpenter

David W. Carpenter

Patrolman Carpenter was killed when he was struck by a stolen vehicle while attempting to set up a roadblock on the I-264 off-ramp at Belmont Avenue.

He and another officer had set up their patrol cars to block the exit ramp, but to allow enough space for the car to come through. The vehicle began to slow down, but the driver accelerated as Patrolman Carpenter came through the opening between the patrol cars. Patrolman Carpenter was struck and knocked 75-feet then was run over by the vehicle.

The 18-year-old driver of the vehicle was eventually apprehended and charged with murder, hit-and-run, vehicle larceny, and driving without a license. A judge issued an order which had him committed to the Central State Hospital for a mental evaluation.

Patrolman Carpenter had been with the Portsmouth Police Department for one year and had been a military policeman for the three prior years.