UCCS students line up in force for slain officer
They greeted mourners, carried flags, lined streets and waited for hours to honor a man who was an intimate part of university life.
These University of Colorado at Colorado Springs students were everywhere that Officer Garrett Swasey was on Friday – in New Life Church, for the fallen officer’s funeral and back on their own campus as Swasey’s funeral procession passed by.
The 44-year-old UCCS police officer killed in a Nov. 27 shooting rampage at Planned Parenthood was remembered on Friday by students as a level-headed officer with a memorable smile. His death brought hundreds of students to the edges of campus along Austin Bluffs Parkway, where they waved flags for hours and stood in silent vigil as the hearse drove by escorted by hundreds of police cars from around the state and country.
Students recalled Swasey, who worked at the school for six years, as a man who remained calm and helpful while responding to calls on campus. Matthew Alexander, 21, was a resident assistant at a dorm at UCCS in the fall of 2013.
“He was a real nice guy,” Alexander said. “He didn’t want to be harsh about anything. He wanted to help people learn from the situation.”
Alexander and his fiancé Kailila Brown helped form a line of people outside of the church before services began.
Many UCCS students went to Swasey’s funeral on Friday, but many also rushed back to campus when they heard rumors that Swasey’s funeral would be protested by members of Westborough Baptist Church. Patricia Andrews and Emma Ayer hoped a strong presence of UCCS students like themselves – wearing blue, carrying flags and blue signs – would obscure the presence of any protesters on campus.
Cailin Eells was among the first students to line up along Austin Bluffs to wait for Swasey’s funeral possession to pass by. Eells, a former cheerleader, used to see Swasey often, and they would make small talk. She remembered him as very pleasant with a great smile. On Black Friday, Eells learned from her father, a commander with the Colorado Springs Police Department, that an officer had been shot at the Planned Parenthood. Later, she learned that Swasey had been killed. As she talked about Swasey the corners of her eyes were wet. “He was just willing to run into the line of fire,” she said.
A line of UCCS students waited during the funeral service of Officer Garrett Swasey for their chance to honor him during a procession. (Ryan Maye Handy, The Gazette)
UCCS Police Officer Larry Darnell speaks during the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, speaks about her husband, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, during the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Chancellor Pamela S. Shockley-Zalabak speaks during the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
UCCS Police Chief Brian McPike gets emotional during the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Governor John Hickenlooper speaks during the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, closes her eyes and looks up as her son, Elijah, 11, watches during the funeral service for the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Mayor John Suthers speaks during the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Mayor John Suthers speaks during the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, holds onto her son Elijah, 11, during the funeral service for the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, is embraced by her nephew, Stephen Swasey, during the funeral service for the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Stephen Swasey, nephew of of Officer Garrett Swasey, gets emotional during the funeral service for the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, embraces her children, Faith, 6, and Elijah, 11, during the funeral service for the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Law enforcement gets into formation before the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, stands with her son, Elijah, 11, after they received a flag and Swasey’s police hat during the funeral service for the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Law enforcement gets into formation before the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, speaks about her husband, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, during the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Garrett Swasey, walks out with her children, Faith, 6, and Elijah, 11, after the funeral service for the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, embraces her children, Faith, 6, and Elijah, 11, during the funeral service for the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, stands with her son, Elijah, 11, after they received a flag and Swasey’s police hat during the funeral service for the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The casket of Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, is placed next to the U.S. Honor Flag before the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, with her children, Faith, 6, and Elijah, 11, touches the casket of her husband, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, during the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The Colorado Springs Police Honor Guard lines up for the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Elijah Swasey, 11, is greeted by an Honor Guard member before helping to carry in the casket of his father, Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, before the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The casket of Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, is placed next to the U.S. Honor Flag before the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The Colorado Springs Honor Guard surrounds the casket of Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, before the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Rachel Swasey, wife of Officer Garrett Swasey, stands with her son, Elijah, 11, after they received a flag and Swasey’s police hat during the funeral service for the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The Colorado Springs Honor Guard carries in the casket of Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, during the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The Colorado Springs Honor Guard salutes the casket of Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, during the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
Law enforcement gets into formation before the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The Colorado Springs Honor Guard carries in the casket of Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, before the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The Colorado Springs Honor Guard carries in the casket of Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, during the funeral service at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
A line of police vehicles extend for miles on the southbound lanes of Interstate 25 near the Rockrimmon exit in Colorado Springs Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, after the memorial services for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer Garrett Swasey, 44, who was killed in the shooting at the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 27, 2015. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
A line of police vehicles extend for miles on the southbound lanes of Interstate 25 near the Rockrimmon exit in Colorado Springs Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, after the memorial services for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer Garrett Swasey, 44, who was killed in the shooting at the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 27, 2015. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
A line of police vehicles extend for miles on the southbound lanes of Interstate 25 near the Rockrimmon exit in Colorado Springs Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, after the memorial services for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer Garrett Swasey, 44, who was killed in the shooting at the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 27, 2015. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
A line of police vehicles extend for miles on the southbound lanes of Interstate 25 near the Rockrimmon exit in Colorado Springs Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, after the memorial services for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer Garrett Swasey, 44, who was killed in the shooting at the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 27, 2015. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
A motorcade arrives at the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The Colorado Springs Honor Guard carries in the U.S. Honor Flag during the funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral service for Garrett Swasey, the 44-year-old University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer and six-year veteran of the department, at New Life Church on Friday, December 4, 2015. Swasey was killed Nov. 27 after responding to a shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood which left two others dead and 12 injured. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette
The funeral procession for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Officer, Garrett Swasey, travelled down Austin Bluffs Blvd., in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Swasey was killed one week ago during the shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. AP PHOTO/DANIEL OWEN/THE GAZETTE
Barry Ringley, right, holds his grandson, Mateo Real, during the funeral procession for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Officer, Garrett Swasey, as it travelled down Austin Bluffs Blvd., in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Swasey was killed one week ago during the shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. AP PHOTO/DANIEL OWEN/THE GAZETTE
A young girl watches on as the funeral procession for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Officer, Garrett Swasey, passes bystanders along Austin Bluffs Blvd., in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Swasey was killed one week ago during the shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. AP PHOTO/DANIEL OWEN/THE GAZETTE
Chris Russell and his wife, Michele, stand for several hours awaiting the funeral procession for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Officer, Garrett Swasey, as it travels down Austin Bluffs Blvd., in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Swasey was killed one week ago during the shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. AP PHOTO/DANIEL OWEN/THE GAZETTE
Hundreds line the route where a funeral procession for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Officer, Garrett Swasey, travels in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. Swasey was killed one week ago during the shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. AP PHOTO/DANIEL OWEN/THE GAZETTE