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Patrolman

Mark E. Switzer

Pawhuska Police Department — Pawhuska, OK

Felonious

End of Watch January 12, 1927

Age 29

The Vigil Panel 52 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman Switzer was shot in the chest and killed as he and another officer ordered a man to get out his car they had stopped. They had received information that a large amount of illegal liquor was in the car. The suspect surrendered to the other officer. He said he had a large amount of money and thought the officers were robbers. The suspect was charged with murder. In August of 1929 he was still in jail awaiting his trial.

Patrolman Switzer was survived by his wife.

Survivors

Patrolman Switzer was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OK-DE175AFA
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.
Patrolman Switzer served with the Pawhuska Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pawhuska community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Switzer.

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

Agency

Department Pawhuska Police Department

Location Pawhuska, OK

Platform Identity ppd.osage.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 12, 1927

Age 29

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Charged with murder

Patrolman Mark E. Switzer 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Pawhuska Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

OK — Statewide

403

of 582 officers

69.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mark E. Switzer's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Mark E. Switzer Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Charged with murder

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mark E. Switzer is highlighted in Jan.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mark E. Switzer was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518