Garrett Swasey

Major competitions National Event 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 U.S. Championships 14th J. 1st J. 15th - 13th

Life, death and legacy Early and personal life Swasey was born in Boston and grew up in Melrose, Massachusetts. He graduated from Melrose High School (1989) in the same class as future Melrose Mayor Robert J. Dolan.

At the time of his death, Swasey was married to Rachel (née Aguilar) and was the father of two young children. He was an elder at his church in Colorado Springs.

Death and funeral

Swasey was shot dead in the line of duty on November 27, 2015, during a mass shooting at a local Planned Parenthood clinic. He was 44 years old.

Following Swasey's death, President Barack Obama praised Swasey with "May God bless Officer Garrett Swasey and the Americans he tried to save." Swasey's former schoolmate, Melrose's Mayor Dolan, stated at a press conference that, "He made a real mark on the people that he met in this small town. He was so dedicated to his church and his community." Speakers included Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers and University of Colorado Colorado Springs Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak.

Aftermath and legacy On April 15, 2016, almost five months after Swasey was killed, his oath as a Deputy Sheriff was notarized, raising questions about procedures of the El Paso County Police Department. The murderer of Swasey, Robert Dear, was found to be incompetent to stand for a trial in May 2016, May 2017, and July 2018.

U.S. Figure Skating, at the initiative of Broadmoor Skating Club, named the Garrett Swasey Memorial Trophy for the juvenile dance competition champions at the Midwestern Sectional Figure Skating Championships. First winners of the trophy were Elliana and Ethan Peal. Donors organized to give protective gear to the UCCS Police Department following Swasey's death.