Friends of Pro-Life Officer Killed in Shooting at Planned Parenthood Raise $240,000 for His Family

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Dec 28, 2015   |   12:52PM   |   Washington, DC

Friends of pro-life police office Garrett Swasey, the part-time pastor who was killed during the horrific shooting at a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Colorado Springs, have raised almost a quarter of a million to help care for his family after his death.

A website devoted to information about crowd-funding campaigns reported just how well the campaign has done:

Immediately following the deadly situation, a YouCaring campaign was launched to help the victim’s family.

“Garrett was passionate about his role as a police officer, his family and his faith.  Originally from Boston, he moved to Colorado Springs in the early 90’s to train at the Olympic Training Center as a champion ice dancer before retiring and moving into law enforcement.  Garrett was an Elder who lead various worship teams and played guitar at his church Hope Chapel.

“Although funeral costs will be covered by the police, this campaign will be used to start an education fund for his two young children.”

Since its launch, the campaign has raised nearly $240,000. It was set up by a friend of the Swasey and all funds will go towards Rachel Swasey, administered by her sister, Christine Aguilar.

Swasey, 44, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs police officer who was shot and killed while responding to a shooting at a Planned Parenthood office, was described by his fellow church members and friends as a courageous man and loving father who drew strength and inspiration from his Christian faith.

He was married, with two young children, and had been on the campus police force for six years. He also spent seven years as a co-pastor at Hope Chapel in Colorado Springs.

“Here’s a guy who worked full time as a police officer, and then gave a great amount of time to his local church and didn’t get a dime for it,” said Scott Dontanville, a co-pastor who knew Officer Swasey for 15 years. “He did it because it was the thing that he felt he needed to do.”

Today, Swasey’s family released a statement on his behalf:

“While the nation now knows Garrett as a hero who gave his life for others, he was also a devoted husband of 17 years and a wonderful father to his two children,” the family said. “Helping others brought him deep satisfaction and being a police officer was a part of him. In the end his last act was for the safety and well-being of others and was a tribute to his life.”

Now, copies of Swasey’s last sermon at Hope Chapel have surfaced online. The sermon clearly shows a man who put his love for God ahead of himself.

“Our objective is not to bring glory to ourselves but to bring glory to God. How? By transforming our lives through the Gospel. Apart from that it can’t be done, not in our own strength,” he says.

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