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Elmer A. Swanson
Agency patch
Officer

Elmer A. Swanson

Metropolitan Police Department — Washington, DC
Felonious
United States flag District of Columbia flag
End of Watch July 5, 1932
Age 30
Tour of Duty 3 mo
The Vigil Panel 64 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 130

Incident

Officer Elmer Swanson was shot and killed while responding to a home at 508 First Street, SE, where a deranged man was firing a gun. During the incident, over 100 rounds were fired by the suspect from the home. Over 500 policemen and U.S. Marines responded to the incident and engaged in the shootout. At one point, the suspect ran from the house when it was filled with tear gas and opened fire, striking Officer Swanson in the head. Officer Swanson was taken to Providence Hospital, where he succumbed to the wound. The man ran back into the home without being struck by the return fire. The man was eventually apprehended after being wounded in the arm. After being arrested, he stated he only wanted to have some fun. He was indicted for first-degree murder and found insane. Officer Swanson had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for only three months and was assigned to the Ninth Precinct. He was survived by his wife and four children. One of his sons served as a Police Officer in Minnesota. He is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suitland, Maryland.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

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.
Officer Swanson served with the Metropolitan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Swanson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Metropolitan Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity mpdc.dc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 5, 1932
Tour of Duty 3 mo
Age 30
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Elmer is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Elmer was 30. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Elmer had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Metropolitan Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Elmer among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Officer Elmer A. Swanson

Metropolitan Police Department · End of Watch July 5, 1932

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E

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