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Garrett Preston Russell Swasey
Incident
Police Officer Garrett Swasey was shot and killed while responding to an active shooter at a medical facility at 3480 Centennial Boulevard shortly after 11:30 am.
A subject armed with a rifle had entered the facility and opened fire on employees and patients before barricading himself inside. Officer Swasey was among the initial responders and was fatally shot at the scene along with two civilians. Five Colorado Springs Police Department officers, one El Paso County Sheriff's Office deputy, and four civilians suffered gunshot wounds during the incident.
A SWAT team took the subject into custody inside the building approximately five hours later. The suspect has been repeatedly deemed incompetent to stand trial and is being held in a mental facility.
Officer Swasey had served with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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 I Swasey gave the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colorado Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer I Swasey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Garrett is the only officer of University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Police Department remembered here.
Garrett is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Garrett is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Garrett is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 3 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 2015, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2015, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Garrett was 44. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Garrett had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Garrett was 44. 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. Garrett had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Garrett was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Garrett had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10.2% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Fridays: 13.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.