Patrolman Gordon W. Swettart
Springfield Police Department
Illinois
End of Watch: Sunday, February 3, 1924

Biographical Info
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: 8 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, February 3, 1924
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1945

Patrolman Gordon Swettart was shot and killed after he stopped to assist five individuals whose vehicle was disabled one mile north of Virden on the Springfield-St. Louis Blacktop at 8:30 pm.

Patrolman Swettart was shot by one of the vehicle's occupants as he stepped onto the running board. All five of the offenders, who were auto thieves, fled the scene. A passing motorist came to Patrolman Swettart's aid, but the officer died from his wound. The gunman, who was convicted of manslaughter, was sentenced to prison in 1924 and paroled in 1945.

Patrolman Swettart had served with the Springfield Police Department for only eight months. He was survived by his widowed mother and a sister.