John M. Swearingen
Agency: Independence Police Department, MO
John Swearingen was born in Missouri in 1845. John was the son of Lemuel and Jane Swearingen and had one sibling, Lemuel. He was married to his wife, Sarah Swearingen, and had three children, Agnus, Charles and Mary.
Chief Swearingen was accidently killed by the discharge of his own weapon. Chief Swearingen had just placed a prisoner in the cell and was searching him as he lay on a cot and his handgun fell to the floor and discharged. The bullet struck Chief Swearingen in the arm and up into his bowels. He struggled down the stairs and was placed in a bed. Medical assistance could not remove the bullet and he died shortly thereafter on January 16, 1884.
During the previous ten years Chief Swearingen had served three terms as marshal.
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