Manhattan Beach Police Department Officer Chad Swanson’s law enforcement career and his life, both cut short earlier this month in a traffic collision, will be honored with a funeral procession and service on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
The procession begins in Manhattan Beach, with a church service following in Cypress.
The procession starts at 8:30 a.m. when the Swanson family, along with Manhattan Beach Department personnel and city staff, will join at the Manhattan Beach Police Department to “show unity and respect,” according to a police release.
Community members are invited to dress in red, white and blue as they stand along the procession route, according to the press release.
The procession route begins on Manhattan Beach Boulevard between Ardmore Avenue and Aviation Boulevard before making its way to SeaCoast Grace Church in Cypress.
The service will take place at 11 a.m. at the church, located at 5100 Cerritos Ave.
Swanson, 35, was killed in the early morning hours of Oct. 4, when a car collided with his police motorcycle on the northbound 405 Freeway around Carson.
He risked his life to save others during a mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in 2017 in Las Vegas, where he was injured by a bullet fragment, while he moved people to safety.
The Manhattan Beach Police Department thanked the community for its continued support in the period since the tragedy said Police Chief Rachel Johnson, in a statement. The city hosted a vigil two days after Swanson’s death where hundreds gathered at the Manhattan Beach Pier.
“Your presence will provide solace and comfort to Officer Swanson’s family and fellow officers,” Johnson said, of the community gathering for the funeral procession. “Together we can turn the pain of loss into a beacon of resilience, showing the world that even in our darkest moments, our unity shines brighter than ever before.”
Swanson is survived by his wife and three young sons. There is a fund set up by Fund a Hero, through the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) to support the family.
For those who can’t attend the procession or service and wish to offer financial support, visit porac.org/fundraiser/swanson-family/.
