Who was Chad Swanson? Hero cop who survived Las Vegas mass shooting, dies in bike crash

A tragic incident has struck Southern California as the hero of one of the nation’s deadliest mass shootings, Manhattan Beach police officer Chad Swanson, lost his life in a motorcycle crash. The fatal collision occurred on October 4 at 5 am when Swanson’s police motorcycle collided with a car on Interstate 405, according to the California Highway Patrol. Tragically, Officer Swanson passed away after being transported to the hospital.

CHP Officer Steve Carapia has indicated that the car involved in the crash may have initially been struck by another vehicle due to an unsafe lane change, setting off a chain reaction. Investigators are currently working to determine whether a fourth vehicle might have also played a role in the accident. At this time, the condition of another individual who was hospitalized due to the crash remains unknown.

Who was Chad Swanson?

During a press conference, Lieutenant Kelly Benjamin remembered Officer Swanson as someone who had a deep love for riding his motorcycle but, above all, cherished his wife and three sons. She described him as a person with an infectious smile and a positive outlook, making him a joy to work with. The loss of Officer Swanson has deeply impacted the department, leaving them in a state of mourning.

Chad Swanson served as a police officer for 13 years and assumed the role of a motorcycle officer in 2017. He earned hero status for his courageous actions during the tragic 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, where 58 individuals lost their lives, and 527 were injured during a 72-minute shooting spree at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. The shooter responsible for the horrific act was identified as multimillionaire Stephen Craig Paddock.

Despite sustaining a gunshot wound to his arm, Swanson was observed rendering assistance to victims at the scene. He expressed his motivation at the time, stating, “I just wanted to try to help as many people as I could. At a certain point, we realized that there were no more people in the concert venue that were alive that we could help. We canvassed the whole area to make sure we didn’t miss anybody.”

A solemn procession organized by the Manhattan Beach Police Department was held to honor Officer Swanson. The procession traveled through Gardena and concluded at the county coroner’s office.

On Instagram, Hailey Swanson, Officer Swanson’s wife, expressed her gratitude for the support received and requested consideration for her sons during this challenging time. She shared her thoughts, saying, “As some of you may have heard, Chad passed away this morning. I appreciate the support while we try and figure out what life looks like now and until I find the right time and way to tell my boys, please be mindful of my children. Little ears are always listening, and I want to protect them the best I can.”