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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Harry Swaney succumbed to injuries sustained eight days earlier when he was involved in an automobile crash on the Reno-Carson Highway.
He and another deputy had been patrolling the area of the Blackmer Ranch earlier in the day when the other deputy was injured in a motorcycle crash. Deputy Swaney took the deputy to the hospital on his motorcycle. A ranchhand was returning Deputy Swaney to the ranch to retrieve the motorcycle.
As the ranchhand attempted to pass a truck nine miles south of Reno he collided with an oncoming vehicle. Deputy Swaney was killed while the ranchhand and occupants of the vehicle were injured.
Deputy Swaney was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Swaney was survived by his wife.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Swaney served with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Reno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Swaney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Washoe County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Harry is one of 40 officers lost to accidents in NV, 27.4% of the 146 remembered there.
Harry is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harry 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 1935, 1 officer in NV was lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 31 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 3.
In 1935, 99 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1935, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Harry was 31. Of the 39 lost to accidents in NV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47; the middle age was 40.
Harry was 31. 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.
Harry was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 5% of these deaths in NV; December holds the most, 17.5%. Mondays: 5%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Washoe County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.4% of all 146 deaths in NV, 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
Washoe County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Washoe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
