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Incident
City Marshal John Swearingen was accidentally shot and killed when his gun fell to the floor and discharged inside the city jail. He had arrested a disorderly man and brought him to the jail along with a deputy county marshal. Marshal Swearingen had placed the man in a cell and bent over to search him when his pistol fell from his pocket. The pistol discharged when it hit the ground, and the round struck Marshal Swearingen in the leg near his groin. Marshal Swearingen succumbed to his wound the following day. Marshal Swearingen had served with the Independence Police Department for three separate terms.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
142 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Swearingen gave the Independence Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Independence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Independence Police Department has lost 8 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 242 officers lost to accidents in MO, 29.2% of the 829 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1884, 1 officer in MO was lost to accidents, the 69th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1884, 7 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 139th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1884, 13 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 143rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 39. Of the 226 lost to accidents in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 42; the middle age was 33. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 39. 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. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 39. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.3% of these deaths in MO; August holds the most, 12.8%. Tuesdays: 9.9%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 12.5% of all 8 deaths at Independence Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 829 deaths in MO, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Independence Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Independence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
