Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police William Swartz succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained four days earlier while attempting to question a drunk man. The man was known to Chief Swartz to have just purchased a revolver and to always being drunk on payday. The chief was keeping an eye on the man who approached him near the intersection of Bank Street and North Street. The man made several statements to Chief Swartz before pulling out his revolver and shooting him. The man fled the scene on a freight train but was later apprehended. He was convicted of Chief Swartz's murder and eventually died in prison. Chief Swartz had served with the Lehighton Borough Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-544B4125- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Swartz gave the Lehighton Borough Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lehighton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Swartz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police William E. Swartz 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 Lehighton Borough 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. William E. Swartz's cause is highlighted.
How William E. Swartz Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William E. Swartz is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William E. Swartz was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lehighton Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
