Deputy Marshal Herman William Nofs

Herman William Nofs

Marshal Herman Nofs was shot and killed by two burglary suspects at a gas station at 111th Avenue and Grand Avenue in Youngtown.

Marshal Herman Nofs was on patrol when he noticed broken glass at a gas station. When he approached the two suspects, ages seventeen and nineteen, with his weapon drawn, the 19-year-old slugged him and knocked his gun to the ground. The other suspect took the gun and shot him with his own gun.

Both suspects were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on February 9, 1966. The Arizona Supreme Court overturned the 17-year-old suspect's conviction and ordered a new trial. On July 29, 1968, he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison.

Marshal Nofs was a United States Army World War I veteran who served with the Illinois State Police for 31 years and was Youngtown's first Marshal. He had retired and would work one or two days a week as a deputy marshal. He was survived by his wife.