Sheriff Swanson Receives National Recognition as Officer of Month

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson is receiving national recognition in a big way.The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum has named Sheriff Swanson as the June 2020 Officer of the Month.

Swanson, who has been with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for 27 years, is currently the acting interim sheriff. He earned the distinguished honor for his noted handling of the Flint protest on May 30th. During the protest walk, that was in response to the killing of George Floyd, Swanson addressed hundreds of protesters that had gathered for the peaceful march in Flint Township.

Swanson gained national attention for joining the group as they marched in protest after removing his helmet and putting his baton on the ground as a sign of peace. After several chats by protesters of “walk with us,” Swanson and the other officers present joined in the march. The "walk with us" chant has since become a type of mantra for the exceptional way protest are being handled in the local area.

“In that one moment, Sheriff Swanson showed the kind of leadership, courage, and integrity that makes exemplary law enforcement leaders,” stated National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum CEO Marcia Ferranto. “While the world is watching how law enforcement behaves, the statements, actions, and commitment to community that he demonstrated makes us proud to honor Sheriff Swanson as Officer of the Month.”

The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.

Sherriff Chris Swanson is the first Sheriff in Michigan to ever receive the national recognition from the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum.