Incident
About 1:00 a.m. Deputy Sheriff Tom Noell was dispatched to a disturbance at Bachman Dam. Deputy Noell never arrived at the disturbance and his body was found about 3:30 a.m. by a service station operator. Deputy Noell was slumped over the steering wheel. An inquest determined that he died of apoplexy (stroke).
At the time of his death Deputy Noell was serving as the bailiff in a state district court. He was survived by his wife, Emma Dee, and one son. He is buried in the Frankfort Cemetery in Collin County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, Emma Dee, and one son.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Noell served with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Noell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has lost 20 officers; 3 of them lost to cardiac events.
Thomas is one of 88 officers lost to cardiac events in TX, 3.6% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1928, 1 officer in TX was lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 53 years on record. The heaviest was 1978, with 4.
In 1928, 2 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 107th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1928, 2 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 107th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Thomas was 46. Of the 84 lost to cardiac events in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 42.8 and 57; the middle age was 50.
Thomas was 46. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48.
Thomas was 46. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48.
When
May holds 11.4% of these deaths in TX; October holds the most, 12.5%. Thursdays: 21.6%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 15% of all 20 deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.6% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Dallas County Sheriff's Department has 20 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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James McMahan Jan 16, 1871
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Charles H. Nichols
Jan 20, 1871
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George V. Vise Jun 5, 1878
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Addison C. Pate
Sep 9, 1895
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Thomas I. Woods
Dec 21, 1922
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Willis Glover Champion
Sep 26, 1923
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James C. Wright Sep 28, 1924
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Thomas L. Noell
May 31, 1928
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James Willis Fuller
Jun 13, 1932
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Cecil Vincent Chapman
Sep 9, 1934
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Kassie Mae Chandler
Dec 16, 1948
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James Weldon Hill
Nov 9, 1964
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E. R. Walthers
Jan 10, 1969
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Samuel Garcia Infante, Jr.
Feb 15, 1971
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William Don Reese
Feb 15, 1971
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Esteban Velasquez, Jr.
Feb 24, 1980
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Ray Edward Kovar
Jun 20, 1982
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Suzanne Lee Kays
Jan 4, 1989
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James Robert Allman
Aug 5, 1995
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Bobby Eugene Pace
Sep 24, 1998
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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