Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Johnny Swafford was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a domestic disturbance at a mobile home at 2130 hours. As the deputies approached the home the suspect opened fire with a handgun, striking Deputy Swafford in the arm and stomach. His partner returned fire but the suspect fled into a neighboring county. The suspect was arrested after a lengthy standoff. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison. He was later paroled and put on probation, but killed an elderly man and was sentenced to life in prison and died there.
Survivors
Deputy Swafford had been with the agency for six months and was survived by his wife, son and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-10C4E7B1- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Swafford served with the Rhea County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Swafford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Johnny Alford Swafford 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Rhea County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Johnny Alford Swafford's cause is highlighted.
How Johnny Alford Swafford Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 99 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Johnny Alford Swafford is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Johnny Alford Swafford was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Rhea County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
