Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Mark Swaney was shot and killed on Christmas day after he and another officer responded to a man with a gun call. Upon arriving at the scene, about two miles from Davidson College, the officers were informed that the suspect had left the scene. Another unit arrived at the scene, allowing Officer Swaney and his sergeant to look for the suspect. They located the suspect and began questioning him as a group of people gathered around them. One of the bystanders grabbed Officer Swaney's arm as the suspect pulled out a gun and shot both officers. The suspect was shot by return gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene. Officer Swaney was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead approximately one hour after the incident. Officer Swaney had served with the Davidson Police Department for 2 years and had previously served with another agency for 5 years.
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BO-US-NC-E7F40FDA- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman Swaney gave the Davidson Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Davidson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Swaney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Mark Allen Swaney 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mark Allen Swaney's cause is highlighted.
How Mark Allen Swaney Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed by officers
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mark Allen Swaney is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mark Allen Swaney was killed by handgun.