Russell Theodore Swanson
Agency patch
Patrolman

Russell Theodore Swanson

Felonious
End of Watch April 19, 1929
Age 23
Tour of Duty 1 yrs 6 mo
The Vigil Panel 57 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Russell Swanson was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle to test its brakes. Unknown to Patrolman Swanson the vehicle was stolen and when the driver and two passengers could not prove they owned the car, Patrolman Swanson attempted to arrest the suspects. One suspect pulled a gun out and shot and killed Patrolman Swanson. All three suspects were later captured by state troopers. The shooter was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years. Another was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 5 to 12 years. He was paroled on March 16, 1935. The third suspect was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced 5 to 10 years. He was paroled on April 20, 1934. Patrolman Swanson had served with the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol for a year and a half.

Survivors

He was survived by his parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
NW-B7JA-3W4T-9 earlier record number BO-US-PA-49BD70AA
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Russell. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

You barely got started.
Patrolman Swanson gave the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Swanson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Highway Patrol
Location Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA
Platform Identity pshp.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 19, 1929
Tour of Duty 1 yrs 6 mo
Age 23
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Russell is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.

33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Russell was 23. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Russell had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol has 18 officers remembered here, Russell among them.

VI

Where

Patrolman Russell Theodore Swanson

Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol · End of Watch April 19, 1929

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W

↑