Altona Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Saturday, January 23, 1965
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 29, 1964
Weapon Used: Handgun; Pistol
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Marshal Harold Swanson was shot and mortally wounded while investigating a suspicious man he spotted standing near the Altona Lumber Company close to midnight. Marshal Swanson was unaware the man had just burglarized the lumber company.
The subject, an ex-convict, opened fire with a pistol striking the marshal in the shoulder and abdomen as he approached him. Marshal Swanson returned fire hitting the suspect in the leg. Despite his wounds, Marshal Swanson marched his prisoner two blocks to a telephone where he called for assistance. He kept his prisoner covered until a Knox County deputy arrived and then he collapsed. Marshal Swanson remained in the hospital in serious condition until succumbing to his wounds five months later. The suspect was charged with murder and burglary.
The 32-year-old suspect was convicted of burglary and sentenced to 8 to 12 years. The murder charge was dismissed because a coroners jury said he died of pneumonia and they could not say for sure if the gunshot wounds caused it.
Marshal Swanson had served with the Altona Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife, two children and three grandchildren.