Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant James Noyes, head of the SWAT team, was at home with his family when he heard about a standoff in Gilford, New Hampshire, involving a despondent man who had lost his wife earlier in the year. The subject had barricaded himself in his home. Sergeant Noyes responded with the team in the hopes that, as an expert hostage negotiator, he could talk him into putting down his weapon. While Sergeant Noyes was outside the building speaking to him, the man fired several shots. One shot struck him in the wrist, and the second struck him under the left arm, bypassing his vest. The subject then committed suicide. Sergeant Noyes had served with the New Hampshire State Police for 17 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons. His oldest son followed in his footsteps and joined the New Hampshire State Police in December 2001, and in 2020 he was promoted to the head of the New Hampshire State Police.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NH-185B4C66- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Noyes gave the New Hampshire State Police 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Hampshire. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Noyes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant James Stanwood Noyes is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In NH, 23 of 59 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39% of this state's fallen. That is 39 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New Hampshire State Police, 3 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Stanwood Noyes's cause is highlighted.
How James Stanwood Noyes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Stanwood Noyes is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Stanwood Noyes was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New Hampshire State Police are honored on badge.nw.
