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Incident
Police Officer Chad Swanson was killed in a motorcycle crash on the 405 Highway at Del Amo Avenue.
While on his way to work at 5:15 a.m., a vehicle struck his department motorcycle after another vehicle made an unsafe lane change. The impact threw Officer Swanson off his motorcycle. He was transported to Harbor Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
The driver who struck him had changed lanes to avoid debris on the roadway. The driver whose boxes fell on the highway was charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence for improperly securing the boxes in his truck.
Officer Swanson earned a Medal of Valor for saving the life of a burglary suspect in 2015. In 2017, despite being wounded at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival, Officer Swanson repeatedly ran into the crowd, bringing people to safety.
Officer Swanson had served with the Manhattan Beach Police Department for 13 years and previously served with the Hawthorne Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three sons, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Swanson gave the Manhattan Beach Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Manhattan Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Swanson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Manhattan Beach Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Chad is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Chad is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Chad is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 2 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 2023, 43 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 106th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2023, 46 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 110th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Chad was 35. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Chad had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Chad was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Chad had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Chad was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Chad had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Manhattan Beach Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Manhattan Beach Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Chad among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Manhattan Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
