(URBANDALE) – Yesterday, Gov.-elect Terry Branstad named state Sen. Larry Noble as the commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
“Larry has a wealth of public safety expertise,” said Gov. Branstad. “He loves this state, and cares deeply about the safety of its citizens. He is a great addition to my team in heading this very important department.”
Noble, of Ankeny, became a police officer while attending college at Central Missouri State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration. Upon his graduation in 1973, Noble was appointed as a special agent with the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation.
In 1979, Noble transferred to the Iowa State Patrol and was assigned to the governor’s security detail, serving both Govs. Ray and Branstad until becoming an assistant district commander for the Iowa State Patrol in 1982, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1986 and became district commander of the Oelwein district of the Iowa State Patrol. In 1988, he was promoted to captain, returning to Ankeny as the executive assistant to the Commissioner of Public Safety.
“I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Iowa,” said Noble. “There is no greater role for government than to protect its citizens, and this is a responsibility I take very seriously. I am honored Governor Branstad has chosen me for this role in his administration. I also want to thank my fellow senators for the opportunity to serve alongside them these past four years.”
Noble was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2006. His resignation from the Senate will be effective tomorrow. Larry is married to his wife Jane and they have four grown children.