West Virginia State Police, West Virginia
End of Watch: Monday, November 1, 1965
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 1, 1965
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Trooper Noechel was shot and killed in Keyser, West Virginia, as he, another trooper, and a Mineral County deputy attempted to arrest a man on weapon's charges. The officers were given a key to the man's home by the man's wife, whom he had threatened with a shotgun earlier in the day.
The officers entered the home and proceeded into the home single file, with Trooper Noechel in the lead position. The suspect suddenly appeared and fired one shot from a .12 gauge shotgun, striking Trooper Noechel in the chest. The suspect surrendered a short time later after tear gas was fired into the home.
The suspect, 48, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison February 4, 1966. He was denied a new trial in 1977.
Trooper Noechel He was survived by his wife and five children.