Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Herman Nofs was shot and killed by two burglary suspects at a gas station at 111th Avenue and Grand Avenue in Youngtown. Marshal Herman Nofs was on patrol when he noticed broken glass at a gas station. When he approached the two suspects, ages seventeen and nineteen, with his weapon drawn, the 19-year-old slugged him and knocked his gun to the ground. The other suspect took the gun and shot him with his own gun. Both suspects were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on February 9, 1966. The Arizona Supreme Court overturned the 17-year-old suspect's conviction and ordered a new trial. On July 29, 1968, he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison. Marshal Nofs was a United States Army World War I veteran who served with the Illinois State Police for 31 years and was Youngtown's first Marshal. He had retired and would work one or two days a week as a deputy marshal.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-35B34382- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Marshal Nofs gave the Youngtown Police Department 35 years.
Thank you for your service to the Youngtown community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Herman William Nofs served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Marshal Herman William Nofs is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Herman William Nofs's cause is highlighted.
How Herman William Nofs Compares
Offender Outcome
Cause: Gunfire
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herman William Nofs is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herman William Nofs was killed by officer's handgun.