Officer Garrett Swasey Laid to Rest

By Andrea Chalfin
· Dec. 4, 2015, 5:51 pm
Officer Garrett Swasey of the UCCS Police Department is among the confirmed dead. Swasey was responding in support of the Colorado Springs Police Department.Officer Garrett Swasey of the UCCS Police Department is among the confirmed dead. Swasey was responding in support of the Colorado Springs Police Department. UCCS
Officer Garrett Swasey of the UCCS Police Department is among the confirmed dead. Swasey was responding in support of the Colorado Springs Police Department.

UCCS Officer Garrett Swasey was laid to rest Friday with a service at New Life Church.  Swasey was one of three killed in a shootout at a Planned Parenthood clinic last week

His coffin was draped with an American flag and law enforcement officers served as pallbearers.  He was remembered as man of faith, family, and courage, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper spoke at the service, calling Swasey's sacrifice humbling.

"When a fellow officer needed him, when his community needed him, when his God called him, he answered the call," said Hickenlooper.  "And I'm proud to live in a state where people like Garrett Swasey, where they help create the community that we sometimes take for granted."

Swasey's wife, Rachel, also spoke, and she thanked the law enforcement and university communities, as well as people from around the city and country, for their support.

"I have been more overwhelmed this week by love than by sadness. Your kindness is an amazing gift to me,"  she said. 

Services for Ke'Arre Stewart and Jennifer Markovsky are also taking place this week.  A visitation was held for Stewart Thursday evening and a service for Markovsky will take place Saturday.

The alleged gunman in the shootings, Robert Dear, is scheduled for a court appearance on Wednesday, when formal charges are expected.

Editor's note: Swasey's wife was originally misidentified as Rebecca. Her name is Rachel. Both the text and audio have been corrected. We regret the error.

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