Incident
Patrolman Russell Swanson was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle to test its brakes. Unknown to Patrolman Swanson the vehicle was stolen and when the driver and two passengers could not prove they owned the car, Patrolman Swanson attempted to arrest the suspects. One suspect pulled a gun out and shot and killed Patrolman Swanson. All three suspects were later captured by state troopers. The shooter was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years. Another was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 5 to 12 years. He was paroled on March 16, 1935. The third suspect was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced 5 to 10 years. He was paroled on April 20, 1934. Patrolman Swanson had served with the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol for a year and a half.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-B7JA-3W4T-9earlier record number BO-US-PA-49BD70AA- Stewardship
- 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Swanson gave the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Swanson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol has lost 18 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Russell is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Russell is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Russell is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 2 officers at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 10 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Russell was 23. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 27; the middle age was 24.5. Russell had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 2.3 years.
Russell was 23. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Russell had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Russell was 23. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Russell had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Russell was 23. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Russell had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 12.5% of these deaths at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol; December holds the most, 25%. Fridays: 50%.
April holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 15.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 18 deaths at Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% 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 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol has 18 officers remembered here, Russell among them.
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Martin Aloysius Hanahoe
Feb 27, 1927
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Vincent Alphonso Hassen
Dec 27, 1927
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Sharon C. Wible
Feb 6, 1928
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Andrew W. Miller
Apr 1, 1928
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James Fenton Proof
Aug 29, 1928
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Russell Theodore Swanson
Apr 19, 1929
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Wells Cortright Hammond
Oct 14, 1929
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Brady Clemens Paul
Dec 27, 1929
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Thomas E. Lawry
Jan 31, 1930
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Arthur Allen Koppenhaver
Jul 13, 1930
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Thomas Barnett Elder Mar 22, 1931
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Orville A. Mohring
Dec 11, 1931
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Joseph A. Conrad
Sep 6, 1932
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Charles Edward Householder, Jr.
Aug 19, 1933
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Herbert Paul Brantlinger
Sep 3, 1933
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Joseph L. Fulton
Jun 4, 1936
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Joe B. Champion
Jul 15, 1936
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J. Lee Clarke
Mar 1, 1937
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
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