On This Date (June 21) 1925-Special Officer Charles S. Swinney
On This Date (June 21) 1925 a wife lost a husband, a mother lost a son, a sister lost a brother and Dallas lost a Special Officer (Merchant Police Officer).
First let me explain what a Merchant Police Officer was. The Dallas Police Department endorsed and commissioned both Merchant Police Officers and Dance Hall Officers, but they were paid by the establishments they protected, they were not actually sworn Dallas Police Officers.
Special Officer Charles S. Swinney was shot while performing his duties in the area of Knox Street and Buena Vista Street when he approached two suspicious men he observed in the area.
As he questioned the two men, a struggle began with both suspects attacking Officer Swinney. Officer Swinney pulled his weapon at which time one of the suspects, Joe Brown pulled a weapon, fired striking Officer Swinney.
The two suspects, Brown and W.J. Goodman then fled the scene in a nearby parked vehicle.
Two Highland Park Police Officers heard the gunfire and investigated the area where they believed the shots were fired and discovered the critically wounded victim at 3:45 a.m.
Officer Swinney was transported to Baylor Hospital were he died as result of his injuries at 7:30 a.m. this same date.
Both suspects were identified, arrested, indicted and were found guilty of the murder of Officer Swinney. Trial errors resulted in their convictions reduced to Manslaughter and they were both assessed five year prison terms.
Special Officer Charles S. Swinney is interred at the Oakland Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.