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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
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New Hampshire State Police has lost 10 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 23 officers killed feloniously in NH, 39% of the 59 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 1 officer in NH was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1997, with 3.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 40. Of the 22 killed feloniously in NH whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 54.8; the middle age was 48. James had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
James was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 21.7% of these deaths in NH, more than any other month. Mondays: 21.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 30% of all 10 deaths at New Hampshire State Police, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 39% of all 59 deaths in NH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 17.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
New Hampshire State Police has 10 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Raymond Elliott
Jun 1, 1947
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Harold B. Johnson
Oct 11, 1948
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Ivan H. Hayes
Jul 18, 1959
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Richard Francis Champy
Feb 3, 1978
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Gary P. Parker
Nov 29, 1989
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Joseph Edward Gearty
Nov 30, 1989
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James Stanwood Noyes
Oct 3, 1994
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Scott Edward Phillips
Aug 19, 1997
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Leslie George Lord
Aug 19, 1997
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Jesse Edward Sherrill
Oct 28, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New Hampshire State Police are honored on badge.nw.
