Greg Swanson

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Service Record

Superior Wisconsin Police Department

Rank Sergeant[1]
Dates of Service 2007 - August 4, 2022.[1]
Last Known Status Resigned[1]

Commendations

2017 Awards

On March 21, 2017, Swanson received a Meritorious Conduct award after he and several other officers responded to a "man with a gun" call, negotiated through a stand off, kept a safe perimeter, and dealt with upset citizens. Swanson also received a Letter of Commendation after he and other officers executed a warrant arrest of a man who was found with a firearm and meth. Swanson received a second Letter of Commendation for proactive policing and intelligence gathering to locate and arrest two men wanted for violent crimes.[2]

2019 Letter of Commendation

On February 18, 2019, Swanson received a Letter of Commendation for his investigation and extensive follow-up of a robbery and stabbing.[3]

Incident Reports

2022 Deaths of Michael Evans and Elijah Ojanen

Greg Swanson booking photo
Greg Swanson

On July 15, 2022, Swanson was off-duty and driving 54mph in a 35mph zone when he crashed his car into a disabled car. Michael Evans, who was pushing the car, and his infant son Elijah Ojanen were both killed.[1][4]

Swanson drove to a gas station and contacted the police. Witnesses saw him throw out several alcoholic drinks, which were recovered when police arrived.[1]

Responding officers found Swanson to have glossy, bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. [1] An hour after the crash, Swanson's blood alcohol content was .19.[4]

Response Timeline

Swanson was placed on paid administrative leave after the crash.[1]

On August 4, 2022, Swanson resigned.[1]

On August 22, 2022, Swanson was charged with 8 felonies, including two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, two counts of a hit-and-run resulting in death, two counts of a hit-and-run resulting in injury, and two counts of homicide while driving with a prohibited alcohol concentration. Six of the counts could each result in up to 25 years in prison or a fine of up to $100,000. The two other charges each carry a fine of up to $10,000 or nine months in jail.[1][5]

On September 19, 2022, Swanson pleaded not guilty to all eleven charges against him.[6]

On April 23, 2024, Swanson pleaded guilty to two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle.[7]

On July 17, 2023, Swanson was sentenced to 5 years in prison.[4]

Public Comments

LEO Ratings

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Danielle Kaeding, Former Superior police officer now faces a dozen charges in off-duty crash that killed 2, WPR, 2022-08-25
  2. Officers perform exemplary duty, Superior Telegram, 2017-03-24
  3. Maria Lockwood, Awards list from SPD's Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony, Superior Telegram, 2019-03-05
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Danielle Kaeding, Ex-Superior police officer gets prison in drunk driving crash that killed infant, father, Wisconsin Public Radio, 2024-07-17
  5. Amended Criminal Complaint, Wisconsin Circuit Court, 2022-08-22
  6. Briggs LeSavage, Superior police officer pleads not guilty after fatal crash, KBJR6, 2022-09-19
  7. Briggs LeSavage, Former Superior police officer pleads guilty in fatal drunk driving crash, Northern News Now, 2024-04-24

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