Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Tipton was shot and killed by a Kentucky prison guard whom he had accused of providing insufficient security for a prisoner. The guard had brought the prisoner to the Rockcastle County Courthouse to testify against his brother in a bank fraud trial.
The guard was arrested by another deputy and the Mt. Vernon city marshal after murdering Sheriff Tipton. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to two years in the same prison where he worked.
Sheriff Tipton had served with the Rockcastle County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, two grandchildren, and several siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-48AF465B- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Tipton gave the Rockcastle County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Vernon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Tipton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Noah J. Tipton 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Rockcastle County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Noah J. Tipton's cause is highlighted.
How Noah J. Tipton Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 2 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Noah J. Tipton is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Noah J. Tipton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Rockcastle County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
