John L. Sweeney

Oregon Department of Corrections — Salem, OR

Felonious

End of Watch August 12, 1925

The Vigil Panel 49 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Correctional Officer John Sweeney and Officer James Holman were shot and killed during a prison escape from the Oregon State Prison. Four prisoners attacked the prison arsenal and were able to gain control of several pistols and rifles. As they fled the main building one of the prisoners opened fire on the north tower, fatally wounding Officer Holman and Officer Sweeney and seriously wounding a third guard. Another guard returned fire, killing the suspect who had shot the other guards. Three of the suspects were able to make it out of the prison and fled to a nearby hospital where they abducted a hospital worker to tend to their injuries. One of the suspects who was arrested and sentenced to death later committed suicide by hanging himself in his cell. The other two suspects were executed in 1928.

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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Sweeney served with the Oregon Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oregon. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Sweeney.

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

Agency

Department Oregon Department of Corrections

Location Salem, OR

Platform Identity odcorr.marion.or.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 12, 1925

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed

Correctional Officer John L. Sweeney is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Oregon Department of Corrections, 10 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90.9% of this agency's fallen.

Oregon Department of Corrections

of 11 officers

90.9% Felonious

OR — Statewide

115

of 197 officers

58.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious