William T. Swafford

Petersburg Bureau of Police — Petersburg, VA

Felonious

End of Watch February 18, 1952

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 88 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 6

Incident

Patrol Officer William Swafford was shot and killed with his own weapon after observing a burglary in progress on North Sycamore Street at about 1:30 am. He attempted to block the vehicle in but had his patrol car rammed by the suspect. He then jumped on the running board and grabbed the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to crash through a store window at 128 N Sycamore Street. He was shot and killed during the ensuing struggle. The 28-year-old suspect was apprehended by FBI agents in New York City three weeks later. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He received an additional eight years for burglary. Officer Swafford had served with the Petersburg Police Department for three years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-VA-732A25E9
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.
Patrol Officer Swafford gave the Petersburg Bureau of Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Swafford.

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

Agency

Department Petersburg Bureau of Police

Type Federal Agency

Location Petersburg, VA

Platform Identity petepd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 18, 1952

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Patrol Officer William T. Swafford 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 VA, 394 of 656 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.1% of this state's fallen. That is 60.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Petersburg Bureau of Police, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.

Petersburg Bureau of Police

of 7 officers

71.4% Felonious

VA — Statewide

394

of 656 officers

60.1% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious