DeWitt officer receives Sullivan Brothers' Award

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By Dan Gearino | Thursday, June 28, 2007 2:14 PM CDT | () comments

TODAY: (Updated 2:08 p.m.) DES MOINES – Gov. Chet Culver honored DeWitt police Sgt. Marc Swingle on Thursday for the officer's bravery in stopping a man from committing suicide.

Swingle, 41, was one of five people presented with the Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor, a medal given to police officers and firefighters who display bravery in the line of duty.

"This is one of the highest honors our state can give, and you are deserving of it," Culver said to Swingle.

The ceremony took place in the governor's formal office, with an audience of family members, public safety officials and the news media.

Afterward, Swingle was joined by his wife and his son and daughter for pictures with the governor.

The award is for Swingle's conduct during an incident last November. According to a description provided by the governor's office, Swingle responded to a 911 call from an apartment building. He heard a gunshot as he approached the building.

Rather than wait for backup, he approached the apartment. He looked inside and saw an elderly man lying on the floor with a wound to his face. The man had a handgun aimed at his head and was attempting to fire it again.

Swingle opened the screen door to the apartment and grabbed the gun out of the man's hand. Swingle later learned that the man had a terminal illness and was trying to commit suicide.

"I feel very thankful that things turned out the way that they did," Swingle said.

Gene Ellis, the DeWitt police chief, said the department got a letter after the incident from the man's wife, thanking Swingle for his bravery in preventing the suicide.

"We're very proud of (Swingle), proud of what he does every day," Ellis said after the ceremony.

Swingle grew up in Davenport and is a graduate of West High School and St. Ambrose University. He has served with the DeWitt Police Department for 17 years.

Dan Gearino can be contacted at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.