Grab your American flags, wear your patriotic colors, and clear your Wednesday morning calendar as Manhattan Beach prepares to make its final salute to MBPD Officer Chad Swanson.

Swanson’s life and service will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 18, at 11:00 a.m. at SeaCoast Grace Church in Cypress, CA. A procession of the Swanson family and MBPD personnel will begin at 9:00 a.m. from the Manhattan Beach Police Department. 

The community is invited to honor Swanson by standing along the procession route on Manhattan Beach Boulevard between Ardmore Ave. and Aviation Blvd. as the procession makes its way to the church.

Community members are asked to bring American flags and dress in red, white, and blue. 

“The entire Manhattan Beach Police Department extends gratitude to the community for their continued support during this difficult period,” said Police Chief Rachel Johnson in a statement. “Your presence will provide solace and comfort to Officer Swanson’s family and fellow officers. 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, a motorcycle officer, was killed in an multi-vehicle accident on the 405 in the early morning hours of October 4. A 13-year veteran of the force, he was married with three children, ages 4, 2, and 10 months old. Swanson was also a survivor of the Route 91 music festival shooting in Las Vegas in 2017. Although wounded during the shooting, he helped bring people to safety and assisted in first aid to others who were wounded.

At a vigil last week that drew hundreds of mourners, Swanson was remembered by fellow officers as a larger-than-life personality, a devoted husband and father, and a beloved colleague.

A fund to support the Swanson family has been established here.