The 44-year-old University of Colorado-Colorado Springs police officer who was killed in a Planned Parenthood shooting has been identified as a New England native.
Garrett Swasey grew up in Melrose, Massachusetts, before moving to Colorado, Melrose Police confirmed. He attended Melrose High School.
He moved to Colorado, home to U.S. Figure Skating, to pursue a skating career.
U.S. Figure Skating President Sam Auxier said Swasey was a former U.S. junior ice dance champion.
“Garrett is remembered as a kind and selfless man who was well-liked by friends and competitors alike," he said. "While we are shocked and saddened by his loss, we are grateful for his service as an officer and his impact as a figure skater."
While in Colorado, he worked as a full-time police officer but was also heavily involved in the local church.
He served as an Elder at Hope Chapel in Colorado Springs. He was married and had a son and daughter, according to the church's website.
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Swasey lost his life, along with 2 other victims, after a gunman armed with an AK-47 style weapon entered the Planned Parenthood location and began shooting at police, causing a five-hour stand off.
Saturday morning, Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle released a statement on his death:
The entire Melrose Police Department mourns the loss of our brother officer and native son of Melrose. Officer Swasey graduated from Melrose High School in 1989, along with Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan and several of our current Melrose police officers. This is a tragic and senseless loss of life, as a man who dedicated much of his life to helping others was murdered while performing his duties.
