Harry Miller Swartz

Chemung County Sheriff's Department — Elmira, NY

Felonious

End of Watch March 27, 1938

The Vigil Panel 74 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Turnkey Swartz was killed when he was struck on the head with a piece of angle iron by an inmate at the Chemung County Jail. The inmate's brother, who was a prisoner in the adjoining cell, had pried loose several wooden floor boards and found the piece of iron. The man passed it to his brother, who then called to Turnkey Swartz and asked to use the exercise room. When Turnkey Swartz opened the cell door he was attacked and beaten to death. The two brothers then escaped but were arrested a short time later walking along nearby railroad tracks. Both brothers, ages 21 and 23, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. One was paroled in 1965. The other fought for his release for several years. The last information about him was he was denied parole in 1968.

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Turnkey Swartz served with the Chemung County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elmira community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Turnkey Swartz.

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

Agency

Department Chemung County Sheriff's Department

Type Sheriff's Office

Location Elmira, Chemung County, NY

Platform Identity ccso.chemung.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 27, 1938

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Blunt object

Turnkey Harry Miller Swartz is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Chemung County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.

Chemung County Sheriff's Department

of 4 officers

25% Felonious

NY — Statewide

728

of 2,147 officers

33.9% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious