Joseph T. Swierczynski

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Felonious

End of Watch March 20, 1919

Age 27

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Badge 265

The Vigil Panel 36 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 377

Incident

Police Officer Joseph Swierczynski was shot and killed while chasing two suspects after hearing shots near 9th Street and Fitzwater Street. He chased the two men to a saloon at 9th and Christian Streets until one of the men suddenly turned and opened fire, killing him. Officer Swierczynski's body remained on the street for almost 30 minutes until an anonymous woman called the station house to report the incident. Three men were arrested inside the saloon a short time later. One of the suspects was found guilty of first degree murder but acquitted on appeal after purportedly bribing the judge. The suspect was murdered in New York City six months later. Officer Swierczynski had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two young sons and is buried at Holy cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-83C9A6ED
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.
Police Officer Swierczynski gave the Philadelphia Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Swierczynski.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Location Philadelphia, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 20, 1919

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 27

Badge Number 265

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Acquitted on appeal

Police Officer Joseph T. Swierczynski 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 Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.

Philadelphia Police Department

162

of 378 officers

42.9% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious