'A servant's heart': Family, friends, law enforcement community bid farewell to slain deputy

"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him."

— The Rev. Marty Grubbs, citing Matthew 12:35.

An Oklahoma County Sheriff's officer killed in the line of duty was described on Friday as a "hero" with a love for his family and chosen profession — a man with an "irresistible smile" and a "servant's heart" — during a moving funeral service at a local church.

Sgt. Robert "Bobby" Swartz, 58, died Monday after he was shot while serving an eviction notice in south Oklahoma City. A second officer, Deputy Mark Johns, was wounded.

The sanctuary of Crossings Community Church was a sea of law enforcement and military uniforms — black, gray, brown, khaki — as Swartz's colleagues with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office paid their final respects, along with law officers, military members and other personnel from law enforcement agencies. About 30 minutes before the ceremony, Swartz’s colleagues with the sheriff’s office walked in together to take seats in the front center of the sanctuary. A spokeswoman with Crossings-OKC, Swartz's home church, 14600 N Portland, said an estimated 2,100 people attended the in-person service, while another 3,000 watched the funeral via livestream.

Three Oklahoma County sheriffs whom Swartz worked for during his 25-year law enforcement career each spoke about the slain officer. Former sheriff John Whetsel was the first to speak, followed by former sheriff P.D. Taylor, and current Sheriff Tommie Johnson III rounded out the trio.

"It's a sad day but we've got to celebrate a good man's life," Taylor told the crowd.

The men recalled Swartz's love for his family and that his grandchildren called him "Papa Policeman." His love for his law enforcement career was also noted.

Whetsel said he had the privilege of hiring Swartz in 1997 and got to watch as he excelled in different assignments. The former sheriff said Swartz was a team player who had a servant's heart. Swartz, Whetsel said, was a motorcycle enthusiast whose courage and perseverance helped him overcome a serious injury from a motorcycle accident that could have ended his career.

Taylor said Swartz was well liked and well respected and he also described him as a team player. He said Swartz arrived at work early to get his paperwork done and was the first to ask if another deputy needed his help.

Johnson said Swartz was killed doing what he truly loved, "serving his community with bravery, and compassion, and truly defining what it means to be a hero."

"We called him brother," Johnson said. "This week, we felt unimaginable pain. Today, we give that pain to God and instead celebrate Bobby's life."

'Hold the line'

The sheriff said he wanted to thank the thousands of people who had reached out to his agency after Swartz's death to share their condolences. Many of them shared anecdotes and stories about how the slain officer had affected their lives for the better. He said one woman recalled that Swartz talked her out of committing suicide years ago and she is now thriving because of him. Johnson also spoke of a little boy who Swartz always gave apples. That youth, the sheriff said, viewed the sergeant as a role model.

"He showed us how to love without boundaries or judgment," Johnson told those gathered.

Each of the men shared words of comfort for Swartz's family but also his colleagues.

"The coming days will continue to be tough — be there for each other," Whetsel told the men and women in the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. He said Swartz would continue to be an inspiration for them.

"I've seen our agency pull together in ways I could have never imagined," Johnson said. "Deputies put aside their own pain to comfort each other. We honor Bobby by continuing to hold the line. The line between good and evil."

To the community at large, he said: "We are committed to protecting and serving you just as you protected and served us this week. You are no longer just our community. You are our family."

'Stand by the door'

The Rev. Marty Grubbs, Crossings' longtime senior pastor, paused briefly, his voice catching with emotion during his eulogy.

He noted that the church had hosted funeral services for another law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty, Edmond Police Sgt. C.J. Nelson, 38, earlier in the summer.

The funeral on Friday, he said, was a bit different.

"In this case, Bobby was a regular fixture, this is his church," Grubbs said. "He'd stand, usually either backstage here or backstage at our venue down the other end of the building."

Swartz had served as a member of the church's security team for the last 10 years. Grubbs said thousands of people had reached out to him to share words of grief and condolences after they learned of Swartz's death. One Crossings member described Swartz as a "consistent and peaceful presence" at the house of worship. Another member recalled how she had difficulty walking and Swartz insisting on helping her find a seat. He came over, unasked, to assist her once the service was over.

"So Bobby was just kind of everywhere — he was more than a security guy," Grubbs said.

The pastor ended his remarks by reading a poem by an Episcopal priest named Samuel Moor Shoemaker. The poem, "I Stand by the Door," is a reflection about standing at the door that leads to God, which Grubbs described as "the most important door in the world."

Grubbs said he thought — hoped — to see "Bobby" standing at his familiar post at the church door for years to come. "Most weekends, he'd stand by the door and have that incredible smile, offer friendly help to a thousand people down there on Sundays," Grubbs said.

"We're gonna miss him by his door."

A life remembered

Swartz's U.S. Army Reserves uniform and his biker's vest were prominently displayed in front of his casket, which was draped with an American flag in memory of his service as a U.S. military member.

In the church's foyer, attendees viewed pictures of Swartz, along with other mementoes. These included various law enforcement patches, a galvanized box with the word “Dad” emblazoned on the front, and a black wreath of mourning from Back the Blue, an organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging law enforcement members.

Swartz is survived by his mother Phyllis, brother Lonnie Swartz, sister Janette Swartz, son Austin Swartz and his wife Kim, grandchildren Raegan and Rowan Swartz, and many nieces and nephews.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Friends, family gather for OKC funeral of Sgt. Robert 'Bobby' Swartz