Slain Colorado Springs Officer Garrett Swasey Remembered by Family, At Church

A Colorado Springs church gathered Sunday morning without one of their co-pastors: Officer Garrett Swasey, who was killed responding to an attack at a Planned Parenthood clinic that left two other people dead.

Swasey was a six-year veteran of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police force and an elder at Hope Chapel — as well as an accomplished former U.S. figure skater.

But his family said in a statement that the memories they would cherish most were "those times he spent tossing the football to his son and snuggling with his daughter on the couch."

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSWhat happened inside the room where officials tried to execute Christa Pike by lethal injection

FOR SUBSCRIBERS‘We’re going to beat you to death with audits’: Brad Raffensperger gears up to oversee his final election in Georgia

FOR SUBSCRIBERSHow we reported the saga of the CIA officer and his gold-bar stash

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDiddy is punished following NBC News report on his VIP life in prison and contraband cellphone use

FOR SUBSCRIBERS‘Too young to vote, old enough to be tear gassed’: French protesters’ anger swells

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDOJ gets aggressive in suing states that challenge Trump’s immigration policies

FOR SUBSCRIBERSJustice Department seeks criminal charge for former Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson

FOR SUBSCRIBERS‘I just want to hold him’: USS Lincoln sailor to meet his 10-month-old son as ship docks

FOR SUBSCRIBERSSenate candidates run on raising Social Security taxes for higher incomes to prevent benefit cuts

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRussian operation that used ChatGPT tricked schools, a politician and media, OpenAI says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump administration’s deal with Nevada fuels data center fight in governor’s race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSLatino voters reject Trump’s immigration policies — and detail the personal impact

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAs Democrats eye big midterm gains, the Wisconsin governor’s race remains a nail-biter

FOR SUBSCRIBERSU.S. military prepares new Iran war options ahead of midterm elections

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCIA probe into intel leak led to discovery of gold bars at agent’s home, sources say

Slide 1 of 1

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSWhat happened inside the room where officials tried to execute Christa Pike by lethal injection

FOR SUBSCRIBERS‘We’re going to beat you to death with audits’: Brad Raffensperger gears up to oversee his final election in Georgia

FOR SUBSCRIBERSHow we reported the saga of the CIA officer and his gold-bar stash

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDiddy is punished following NBC News report on his VIP life in prison and contraband cellphone use

FOR SUBSCRIBERS‘Too young to vote, old enough to be tear gassed’: French protesters’ anger swells

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDOJ gets aggressive in suing states that challenge Trump’s immigration policies

FOR SUBSCRIBERSJustice Department seeks criminal charge for former Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson

FOR SUBSCRIBERS‘I just want to hold him’: USS Lincoln sailor to meet his 10-month-old son as ship docks

FOR SUBSCRIBERSSenate candidates run on raising Social Security taxes for higher incomes to prevent benefit cuts

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRussian operation that used ChatGPT tricked schools, a politician and media, OpenAI says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump administration’s deal with Nevada fuels data center fight in governor’s race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSLatino voters reject Trump’s immigration policies — and detail the personal impact

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAs Democrats eye big midterm gains, the Wisconsin governor’s race remains a nail-biter

FOR SUBSCRIBERSU.S. military prepares new Iran war options ahead of midterm elections

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCIA probe into intel leak led to discovery of gold bars at agent’s home, sources say

Slide 1 of 1

Rachel and Garrett Swasey were married for 17 years, and had two children; Faith, 6, and Elijah, who turned 11 on Sunday.

"His greatest joys were his family, his church, and his profession," the family said in a statement Sunday. "Helping others brought him deep satisfaction and being a police officer was a part of him."

Before becoming a police officer, Swasey was a U.S. figure skating junior national champion with skating partner Christine Fowler-Binder and a multiple-time national qualifier, according to a U.S. Figure Skating statement.

"Garrett was selfless, always there to help me, always my wingman," Fowler-Binder said. "He was my brother and my partner. I could always count on him. This is just so tragic and senseless."

Figure skater and Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan also said Swasey "was literally like a little brother to me." She said Swasey used to pick her up and drive her to the rink each day for practice.

Swasey continued to teach skating in retirement, dedicating his off-duty days to time at the rink, according to the U.S. Figure Skating statement. And Swasey also made time to co-pastor and play guitar at Hope Chapel in Colorado Springs, where he and his family had attended since 2001, according to the church.

On Sunday, church attendees watched a video of Swasey skating. They laughed and cheered through tears as a younger, costumed version of the church leader they knew skated to upbeat music.

Scott Dontanville, who preached Sunday, cried while playing guitar before the sermon and broke down after watching the video of Swasey skating.

“You don’t realize how much you love someone until you can’t tell them anymore,” Dontanville said. “It’s unbelievable. He was just standing there — our last time we gathered together — playing guitar.”

Dotanville preached about God providing comfort before praying for Robert Dear, the man accused of shooting Swasey and two others. One victim was identified Sunday as Jennifer Markovsky, a mother of two, who was originally from Hawaii. A third victim was identified by police Sunday as Ke’Arre Marcell, 29.

Swasey was remembered in at least four vigils Saturday, and a fund set up for his family has raised more than $70,000 in one day.

Fowler-Binder said in a statement that she spent Saturday reminiscing about the officer with fellow former skaters. "I hope the Swaseys know how much everyone adored him," she said.