Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Marshal Anthony Swatta was shot and killed when he responded to the sound of a gunshot in front of the Valley Junction City Hall. A man who had just shot his step-son shot the marshal as he approached. The suspect then shot and killed himself.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-D71BD539- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Night Marshal Swatta served with the West Des Moines Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the West Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Swatta.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Marshal M. Anthony Swatta 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 57.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At West Des Moines Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. M. Anthony Swatta's cause is highlighted.
How M. Anthony Swatta Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. M. Anthony Swatta is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. M. Anthony Swatta was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from West Des Moines Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
