Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Saturday, July 5, 1924
Add to My HeroesTruman Swain
Detective Swain was shot and killed inside a garage at the corner of 7th and Christian streets in South Philadelphia. Detective Swain was killed when he attempted to stop a gun battle involving six men and a woman.
The fracas was the result of a long-standing feud that came to a head when shots were fired through the garage window about 1 a.m. The owner came out and confronted a man and he later returned with his wife and two other men. An argument ensued and passing officers ordered them to disperse and they did so temporarily. Just after the officers rounded a corner, the gunfire started.
Detective Swain was passing by and stopped to intervene. He was shot in the neck while trying to rescue one man who was about to be stabbed. He was subsequently shot four more times and died on the spot. Detective Swain shot and killed his assailant, the garage owner, and severely wounded the garage owner's son in the gun battle.
Five suspects were arrested and three were detained as material witnesses.
Detective Swain, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, had served with the agency for 18 years and was assigned to the Auto Squad. He was a recognized expert on auto theft and vehicle identification. He was survived by his wife and son.
Bio
- Age 48
- Tour 18 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 15 ReflectionsI honor you Sir even more today, as many of your brothers in arms join you for the pure selfishness of the others. May you rest in peace
2020
Marlene
Great Grand Daughter
July 6, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Jeff Bain
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: January 3, 2021

Correctional Officer David A. Christensen
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: December 29, 2020

Lieutenant John Reynolds
Garden Grove Police Department, CA
EOW: January 17, 2021

Corrections Officer Joseph A. Martini
Ulster County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: January 17, 2021

Police Officer Arturo Villegas
Alamo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 10, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Jon Melvin
Grant County Sheriff's Office, WA
EOW: December 11, 2020

Deputy Sheriff Adam Gibson
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Brandon Stalker
Toledo Police Department, OH
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Jay Hughes
Kalispel Tribal Police Department, TR
EOW: January 6, 2021