Roll of Honor
Incident
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.
Survivors
He was survived by his widowed mother and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-D24BFDEE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Swettart served with the Springfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Swettart.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Gordon W. Swettart is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 10 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Springfield Police Department, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gordon W. Swettart's cause is highlighted.
How Gordon W. Swettart Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gordon W. Swettart is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gordon W. Swettart was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
