Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Russell Swanson was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle to test its brakes. Unknown to Patrolman Swanson the vehicle was stolen and when the driver and two passengers could not prove they owned the car, Patrolman Swanson attempted to arrest the suspects. One suspect pulled a gun out and shot and killed Patrolman Swanson. All three suspects were later captured by state troopers. The shooter was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years. Another was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 5 to 12 years. He was paroled on March 16, 1935. The third suspect was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced 5 to 10 years. He was paroled on April 20, 1934. Patrolman Swanson had served with the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol for a year and a half.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-49BD70AA- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Swanson gave the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Swanson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Russell Theodore Swanson 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol, 8 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Russell Theodore Swanson's cause is highlighted.
How Russell Theodore Swanson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Russell Theodore Swanson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Russell Theodore Swanson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
