CJ122
09-14-2000, 06:38 PM
Illinois sheriff's officer dies in crash; alleged drunken driver charged
09-13-2000
From POLICEONE.COM
(AURORA, Ill.) -- A Kane County sheriff's officer on his way home from work was killed by an alleged drunken driver who swerved head on into his van, authorities said Monday.
Sgt. William Swanson, a respected, 20-year veteran of the sheriff's department, died instantly in the Sunday night crash in North Aurora, Kane County officials said.
The man accused of causing the collision, 24-year-old Jeremy L. Brannon of Aurora, now faces reckless homicide and drunken driving charges that could land him behind bars for up to 14 years.
Brannon and Swanson, 46, may have crossed paths before the deadly crash at 11:52 p.m. Sunday. Swanson served as a supervisor at the Kane County jail and Brannon, a reputed Aurora gang member with a lengthy criminal record, had been jailed there at least three times since 1994, according to court records.
Swanson, who had worked his entire law enforcement career in the corrections department, was returning to his Aurora home after completing his 3 to 11 p.m. shift at the jail when the crash occurred.
His death rocked his large family and the close-knit sheriff's department, where his father once worked and where his brother also works.
"It's a tragedy," said his brother, Alan Swanson, a sergeant in the sheriff's department. "We're dealing with the grief and trying to take care of the family."
Sheriff's department co-workers Monday remembered Swanson as a "good guy" who was eager to take on any assignment asked of him.
"He was a very good guy. He was always willing to help out," sheriff's Cmdr. Dave Barrows said.
Brannon, who was released from prison last December after serving time on a weapons charge, remained under police guard Monday at Provena Mercy Hospital in Aurora. He was in fair condition and likely will be released later in the week, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Brannon, who was found in the back seat of his car after the crash, initially denied to police he had been driving, a source said. Investigators also are trying to determine how fast Brannon was driving at the time of the crash, authorities said.He has a criminal history that includes prison stints for attempted aggravated discharge of a firearm stemming from a shooting in Aurora. He also served time for illegal possession of a weapon by a felon.
Brannon was ticketed and convicted earlier this year for illegal transportation of open alcohol, according to state driving records.
Swanson is survived by a sister, three brothers and 11 nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Dalieden Lake Street Mortuary, Aurora. A funeral mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Aurora.
09-13-2000
From POLICEONE.COM
(AURORA, Ill.) -- A Kane County sheriff's officer on his way home from work was killed by an alleged drunken driver who swerved head on into his van, authorities said Monday.
Sgt. William Swanson, a respected, 20-year veteran of the sheriff's department, died instantly in the Sunday night crash in North Aurora, Kane County officials said.
The man accused of causing the collision, 24-year-old Jeremy L. Brannon of Aurora, now faces reckless homicide and drunken driving charges that could land him behind bars for up to 14 years.
Brannon and Swanson, 46, may have crossed paths before the deadly crash at 11:52 p.m. Sunday. Swanson served as a supervisor at the Kane County jail and Brannon, a reputed Aurora gang member with a lengthy criminal record, had been jailed there at least three times since 1994, according to court records.
Swanson, who had worked his entire law enforcement career in the corrections department, was returning to his Aurora home after completing his 3 to 11 p.m. shift at the jail when the crash occurred.
His death rocked his large family and the close-knit sheriff's department, where his father once worked and where his brother also works.
"It's a tragedy," said his brother, Alan Swanson, a sergeant in the sheriff's department. "We're dealing with the grief and trying to take care of the family."
Sheriff's department co-workers Monday remembered Swanson as a "good guy" who was eager to take on any assignment asked of him.
"He was a very good guy. He was always willing to help out," sheriff's Cmdr. Dave Barrows said.
Brannon, who was released from prison last December after serving time on a weapons charge, remained under police guard Monday at Provena Mercy Hospital in Aurora. He was in fair condition and likely will be released later in the week, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Brannon, who was found in the back seat of his car after the crash, initially denied to police he had been driving, a source said. Investigators also are trying to determine how fast Brannon was driving at the time of the crash, authorities said.He has a criminal history that includes prison stints for attempted aggravated discharge of a firearm stemming from a shooting in Aurora. He also served time for illegal possession of a weapon by a felon.
Brannon was ticketed and convicted earlier this year for illegal transportation of open alcohol, according to state driving records.
Swanson is survived by a sister, three brothers and 11 nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Dalieden Lake Street Mortuary, Aurora. A funeral mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Aurora.