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James Brian Swart
Incident
Police Officer James Swart was shot and killed by a 15-year-old theft suspect in the booking area of the Hyattsville District Station. Officer Swart was coming to the aid of Officer Albert Claggett, who had just been killed with his own revolver. As Officer Swart entered the room, the suspect shot and killed him as well. The suspect was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Officer Claggett and not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of Officer Swart. The suspect was sentenced to 25 years. He was paroled in 1995. In 1997, the suspect and his brother robbed a bank in Aberdeen, Maryland. As police officers approached to arrest the pair, the suspect committed suicide. Officer Swart had served with the Prince George's County Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and brother.
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.
Police Officer Swart gave the Prince George's County Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Palmer Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Swart.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Prince George's County Police Department has lost 30 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 2 officers at Prince George's County Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1978, 2 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 25. Of the 19 killed feloniously at Prince George's County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25.5 and 37; the middle age was 31. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
James was 25. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
James was 25. 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. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 31.6% of these deaths at Prince George's County Police Department; February holds the most, 31.6%. Mondays: 15.8%.
June holds 11.8% of these deaths in MD, more than any other month. Mondays: 16.9%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.3% of all 30 deaths at Prince George's County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 21.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 9.2% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Prince George's County Police Department has 30 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Edward Dennis Merson
Sep 1, 1937
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Charles F. Caldwell
Jun 12, 1948
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Alfred W. Steinat
May 2, 1963
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Joseph Kelly Brown, Sr.
Feb 19, 1966
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John William Leatherbury, Jr.
Mar 21, 1968
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Robert E. Yeszerski
Nov 30, 1968
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William W. Gullett, Jr.
Feb 16, 1969
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Carroll D. Garrison
Feb 20, 1973
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Albert Marshal Claggett, IV
Jun 26, 1978
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James Brian Swart
Jun 26, 1978
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Antonio Martinez Kelsey
Feb 2, 1980
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Raymond Hubbard
Feb 8, 1982
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Allan Dale Johnson
Dec 8, 1982
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Carlton X. Fletcher
Jun 12, 1983
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Richard J. Beavers
Nov 29, 1983
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Mark Kevin Murphy
Sep 1, 1988
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Harry Leroy Kinikin, Jr.
Jan 13, 1990
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Ryan Christopher Johnson, Sr.
Apr 22, 1992
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Roger Peck Fleming
Oct 27, 1992
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John Louis Bagileo
Feb 28, 1994
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John J. Novabilski
Apr 26, 1995
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Kilonzo Musili Masembwa
Nov 10, 2000
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Anthony Michael Walker
Nov 15, 2003
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Steven Francis Gaughan
Jun 21, 2005
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Richard Scott Findley
Jun 27, 2008
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Thomas Paul Jensen
Mar 9, 2010
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Adrian Antonio Morris
Aug 20, 2012
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Brennan Roger Rabain
Mar 7, 2015
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Jacai David Colson
Mar 13, 2016
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Mujahid Abdul Mumin Ramzziddin
Feb 21, 2018
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from Prince George's County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
