Do Guards/NPCs Respawn

Generic NPCs will respawn some time after they die. These include generic guard NPCs and the following NPCs:

  • Farmers
  • Fishermen
  • Hunters
  • Imperial Legion soldiers
  • Nobles
  • Peddlers
  • Stormcloak soldiers
  • Thalmor
  • Vigilants of Stendarr
  • Afflicted
  • Bandits
  • Dremora
  • Falmer Servants
  • Forsworn
  • Thugs
  • Vampires
  • Warlocks

List of all re-spawning NPCs

Most named NPCs, on the other hand, are either 'Essential' (unkillable) or will not respawn after they have died. (Some named NPCs are killable and respawn - see the list of all re-spawning NPCs.)

Source: UESP article on Skyrim NPCs


Yes they do, if you look them up on UESP you can see if they respawn or not.

Source: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Riften_Guard