Police Corporal Scott Searcy (left) wipes his eyes as department chaplain Kris Kawoluk reads a statement he wrote on the death of his longtime K-9 partner, Swaney. (David Boraks photo)
The Town Board took time out from its monthly meeting Tuesday for a tearful ceremony that remembered police officer Mark Swaney, who died in the line of of duty in 1997, and also paid tribute to the department canine named for him, who passed away last month.
K-9 Swaney died of cancer. He had retired two years ago after serving for nine years as the partner of Corporal Scott Searcy. He was a favorite among children and made frequent public appearances.
Listen to the remarks by Police Chief Jeanne Miller, and department Chaplain Kris Kawoluk reading remarks by Corporal Scott Searcy and a poem from Officer Swaney’s family. Mayor John Woods introduces and closes the ceremony.
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The ceremony, with remarks by Police Chief Jeanne Miller and Corporal Searcy, brought tears to the eyes of many in the Town Hall audience, which included members of the family of Officer Mark Swaney.
Chief Jeanne Miller
On Dec. 25, 1997, Officer Swaney, 25, and Officer Charlie McLean responded to a call on the West Side, and exchanged gunfire with 18-year-old resident Damon Kerns. Officer Swaney and Mr. Kerns died in the incident and Officer McLean was injured.
On Tuesday, Chief Miller recalled how Officer Swaney had dreamed of becoming the department’s first canine officer. She noted that family and residents after his death raised money and pushed to acquire a K-9 for the department. She also recounted with humor the early days of K-9 Swaney’s work in the department with Corporal Searcy in 1998.
K-9 Swaney, a German shepherd born in the Czech Republic, lived with Corporal Searcy and they were partners until Swaney retired in 2007. “I know to most of you, K-9 Swaney was just a dog. However, to me, he was my partner, my best friend and a happy reminder of Mark,” Corporal Searcy wrote in his remarks.
Said Chief Miller: “To all citizens of Davidson: Our dark days were may brighter, our nights were made safer and the crooks knew to be afraid of K-9 Swaney because of your kindness and generosity. Thank you for making his presence possible.”
Swaney and Corporal Scott Searcy
After K-9 Swaney retired, Davidson acquired another dog, named Ike. But Swaney and Corporal Searcy continued to make public appearances until not long before Swaney’s death.
Before Tuesday’s ceremony, Gail Woods and Betsy Flagler, preschool teachers at Davidson College Weekday Preschool, gave Corporal Searcy a collection of cards and drawings made by students at the school. Swaney was the preschool’s favorite visitor each year, Ms. Woods said, and went from class to class to show his tricks and get hugs.
RELATED COVERAGE
Feb. 21, 2009, “Town’s police dog Swaney dies at age 12″
The loss of Swaney was a very big loss for a lot of Davidson residents. We all had grown accustomed to seeing (and hearing) him bark from the back of Scott’s Explorer. We all heard the stories coming home from Davidson Elementary and the various preschools about Scott and Swaney coming to visit. The key part of that is “Scott and Swaney” not a police officer and his dog, but two police officers doing their job, educating kids and parents alike and protecting our community. When you see Scott, thank him for the job he does and tell him how sorry you are that his partner, who gave his all, is gone but not forgotten.