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Incident
Patrolman Gordon Swettart was shot and killed after he stopped to assist five individuals whose vehicle was disabled one mile north of Virden on the Springfield-St. Louis Blacktop at 8:30 pm. Patrolman Swettart was shot by one of the vehicle's occupants as he stepped onto the running board. All five of the offenders, who were auto thieves, fled the scene. A passing motorist came to Patrolman Swettart's aid, but the officer died from his wound. The gunman, who was convicted of manslaughter, was sentenced to prison in 1924 and paroled in 1945. Patrolman Swettart had served with the Springfield Police Department for only eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his widowed mother and a sister.
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.
Patrolman Swettart served with the Springfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Swettart.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Springfield Police Department has lost 10 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Gordon is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Gordon is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gordon is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 1 officer at Springfield Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1885, with 2.
In 1924, 22 officers in IL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gordon was 23. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Springfield Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 36; the middle age was 33. Gordon had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 1.8 years.
Gordon was 23. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Gordon had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gordon was 23. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gordon had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gordon was 23. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gordon had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 11.1% of these deaths at Springfield Police Department; August holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 22.2%.
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90% of all 10 deaths at Springfield Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Springfield Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Gordon among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
