Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Charles Noble was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle for speeding near Zillah, Washington. Unbeknownst to Trooper Noble, the driver was out of prison on a furlough and had just committed an armed robbery. As Trooper Noble returned to his patrol car, the suspect opened fire with a .357 caliber handgun, striking Trooper Noble in the elbow and knocking him down. The suspect then shot Trooper Noble in the head execution-style. The suspect fled but was turned in by the vehicle's passenger the following morning. The suspect, 25, serving a sentence for a 1970 car theft, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life on March 3, 1973. On November 8, 1980, he escaped from Walla Walla Prison but was quickly recaptured. He was charged with escape. He was to be released in 2031. Trooper Noble was a United States Navy Korean War veteran who served with the Washington State Patrol for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-AC2E333C- 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.
Trooper Noble gave the Washington State Patrol 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Washington, 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
Charles Frank Noble served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Trooper Charles Frank Noble 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Washington State Patrol, 8 of 34 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 23.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Frank Noble's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Frank Noble Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Frank Noble is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Frank Noble was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
33 officers from Washington State Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
