'His Absence Leaves An Indelible Void':City Mourns Fallen MBPD Officer

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The Manhattan Beach community mourned the loss of a police officer who was killed in a traffic accident Wednesday morning.

The crash was reported at about 5:15 a.m. on the San Diego (405) Freeway in the Carson area. According to the California Highway Patrol, the MBPD officer was knocked off of his motorcycle in a collision with three other vehicles.

See related: SigAlert: Police Officer Killed In 405 Freeway Crash

“Our beloved officer exemplified courage, and his impact reached far beyond the precinct, touching the lives of those who had the privilege of working alongside him,” said Chief Rachel Johnson. “His absence leaves an indelible void with our tight-knit law enforcement family and the community he served.”

Officer Chad Swanson, 35, a 13-year veteran, died at a hospital, the police department reported. According to Manhattan Beach police Lt. Kelly Benjamin, Swanson was married with three sons.

The police department is providing support and assistance to the family due to their loss.

“The entire Manhattan Beach community is mourning the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents,” said Mayor Richard Montgomery. “His fearless contributions to our community and beyond were marked by bravery, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to duty.”

Benjamin fought back tears as she spoke to reporters about the officer's death, saying he joined the department as a motorcycle officer and loved riding his bike.

"We're hurting, we're grieving," Benjamin said.

She noted that Swanson was in the crowd at the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas when a gunman opened fire on the crowd from a nearby hotel. Benjamin said Swanson helped get people and shooting victims out of the area.

Additional law enforcement agencies will be assisting Manhattan Beach Police for the time being to ensure the continuity of public safety services while the department mourns. MBPD events, such as the National Coffee With a Cop event on Wednesday, were canceled.

MBPD asked for the respect and understanding of the community during this period of grief and reflection.

City News Service contributed to this report.