The funeral service for Lieutenant Michael Swallow will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 13, 2022 at North Monroe Baptist Church, 210 Finks Hideaway Road in Monroe. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 12th at North Monroe Baptist.
Lt. Swallow began his career at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve Deputy in 1993.
He later joined the Department as a full-time Deputy Sheriff in 1996 at the Ouachita Parish Correctional Center. He served both the Corrections and Patrol Divisions until transferring to the Identification Division, which included forensics, the scientific techniques used in the detection of crime.
This was obviously his calling as he had a keen interest in this area of investigations. He attended numerous training seminars and continually trained to learn the latest techniques to assure Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office investigations were as thorough as possible based on the latest technology. He was a member of and later supervised the OPSO Crime Scene Unit for several years. He also served as an instructor in this field of expertise at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office-North Delta Training Academy.
“Lt. Swallow was a great friend to all and an exemplary Law Enforcement Officer. Mike was instrumental in bringing forensics and identification technology to OPSO, which has directly led to the identification and prosecution of many criminals. He certainly left his mark here and OPSO is a better place because of Lt. Mike Swallow” said Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw.
Mike was very meticulous in his work, understanding the importance of details. This was evidenced by his success. He received numerous letters of commendations from not only OPSO but other agencies and the Courts noting his exemplary work.
His family and the Sheriff’s Office have received a tremendous outpouring of support from the community. He not only was respected as a Deputy Sheriff but participated in many community activities on a personal level, having a positive impact on all that he knew. He will be deeply missed by all of us.
Thank all of you for your prayers and support for his family, OPSO and his friends. We ask for your continued prayers during this time.
