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Incident
Chief of Police William Swartz succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained four days earlier while attempting to question a drunk man. The man was known to Chief Swartz to have just purchased a revolver and to always being drunk on payday. The chief was keeping an eye on the man who approached him near the intersection of Bank Street and North Street. The man made several statements to Chief Swartz before pulling out his revolver and shooting him. The man fled the scene on a freight train but was later apprehended. He was convicted of Chief Swartz's murder and eventually died in prison. Chief Swartz had served with the Lehighton Borough Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Swartz gave the Lehighton Borough Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lehighton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Swartz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lehighton Borough Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1917, 12 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 47. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 47. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 47. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Thursdays: 13.7%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Lehighton Borough Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Lehighton Borough Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lehighton Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
