On December 25, 1997, Police Officer Mark Swaney and Sergeant Charlie McClean, of the Davidson Police Department, responded to a report of shots fired. They encountered a teenage suspect who drew a weapon and fired at them.  In the exchange of gunfire P.O. Swaney and the suspect were killed and Sgt. McClean was seriously wounded.  

Officer Swaney who was 26 years old, was more active with foot patrols than most in the 13-member department, residents and officers said. ``He was always talking about how it was good to walk the streets'' because it brought police officers closer to residents, said S.V. Ingram, a fellow officer.

Officer Swaney had been with the Davidson Police Department for three years and is survived by his parents.