Roll of Honor
Incident
The subject, an ex-convict, opened fire with a pistol striking the marshal in the shoulder and abdomen as he approached him. Marshal Swanson returned fire hitting the suspect in the leg. Despite his wounds, Marshal Swanson marched his prisoner two blocks to a telephone where he called for assistance. He kept his prisoner covered until a Knox County deputy arrived and then he collapsed. Marshal Swanson remained in the hospital in serious condition until succumbing to his wounds five months later. The suspect was charged with murder and burglary.
The 32-year-old suspect was convicted of burglary and sentenced to 8 to 12 years. The murder charge was dismissed because a coroners jury said he died of pneumonia and they could not say for sure if the gunshot wounds caused it.
Marshal Swanson had served with the Altona Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-00BB4A60- 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.
Village Marshal Swanson gave the Altona Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Altona community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Village Marshal Swanson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Village Marshal Harold T. 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 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. Harold T. Swanson's cause is highlighted.
How Harold T. Swanson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold T. Swanson is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.