Harry Miller Swartz

Chemung County Sheriff's Department — Elmira, NY

Felonious

End of Watch March 27, 1938

The Vigil Panel 74 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Turnkey Swartz was killed when he was struck on the head with a piece of angle iron by an inmate at the Chemung County Jail. The inmate's brother, who was a prisoner in the adjoining cell, had pried loose several wooden floor boards and found the piece of iron. The man passed it to his brother, who then called to Turnkey Swartz and asked to use the exercise room. When Turnkey Swartz opened the cell door he was attacked and beaten to death. The two brothers then escaped but were arrested a short time later walking along nearby railroad tracks. Both brothers, ages 21 and 23, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. One was paroled in 1965. The other fought for his release for several years. The last information about him was he was denied parole in 1968.

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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.
Turnkey Swartz served with the Chemung County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elmira community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Turnkey Swartz.

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

Agency

Department Chemung County Sheriff's Department

Location Elmira, NY

Platform Identity ccso.chemung.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 27, 1938

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Blunt object; Iron pipe

Offender Sentenced to life

Turnkey Harry Miller 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Chemung County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.

Chemung County Sheriff's Department

of 4 officers

25% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious