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Incident
Officer Mark Swaney was shot and killed on Christmas day after he and another officer responded to a man with a gun call. Upon arriving at the scene, about two miles from Davidson College, the officers were informed that the suspect had left the scene. Another unit arrived at the scene, allowing Officer Swaney and his sergeant to look for the suspect. They located the suspect and began questioning him as a group of people gathered around them. One of the bystanders grabbed Officer Swaney's arm as the suspect pulled out a gun and shot both officers. The suspect was shot by return gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene. Officer Swaney was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead approximately one hour after the incident. Officer Swaney had served with the Davidson Police Department for 2 years and had previously served with another agency for 5 years.
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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 Swaney gave the Davidson Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Davidson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Swaney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mark is the only officer of Davidson Police Department remembered here.
Mark is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Mark is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mark 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 1997, 5 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1997, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1997, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mark was 26. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Mark had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Mark was 26. 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. Mark had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mark was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mark had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 6.2% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Thursdays: 16.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Davidson Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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