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Incident
Park Police Officer Arthur Swanson succumbed to injuries sustained one week earlier when his police motorcycle struck a slick spot on Michigan Avenue at 36th Street. Another policeman who was riding next to him also crashed and was seriously injured. Patrolman Swanson had served with the Chicago Park District Police Department for 10 years. The Chicago Park District Police Department was disbanded in 1957. Remaining officers were transferred to the Chicago Police Department through an intergovernmental agreement.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Park Police Officer Swanson gave the Chicago Park District Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Police Officer Swanson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Chicago Park District Police Department has lost 13 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Arthur is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Arthur 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 1936, 2 officers at Chicago Park District Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1936, 5 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1936, 88 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1936, 97 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Arthur was 39. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Chicago Park District Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 40; the middle age was 39. Arthur had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 13 years.
Arthur was 39. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Arthur had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur 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. Arthur had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur 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. Arthur had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department; October holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 60%.
May holds 7.9% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Thursdays: 17.2%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 38.5% of all 13 deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, 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
Chicago Park District Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Arthur among them.
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Joseph Klocek
Oct 8, 1935
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Joseph Isola
Nov 2, 1935
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Arthur Swanson
May 21, 1936
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Frederick Fischer
Oct 22, 1936
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Bernard B. Klinke
Feb 22, 1937
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Martin Wolski
Mar 26, 1938
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Harry Francois
Nov 20, 1939
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Charles J. Speaker
Jun 30, 1941
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Charles H. Williams
Dec 10, 1941
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Spencer Thornton, Jr.
Sep 3, 1945
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Richard E. Pegue
Jul 3, 1946
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Robert Ellsworth Oman
Nov 7, 1946
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Robert R. Golden
Nov 14, 1956
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago Park District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
