Atlanta, GA – Georgia Parole Officer and Fugitive Task Force Investigator Trent Swicord is a 2014 recipient of a Governor’s Public Safety Award for an Act of Heroism. Governor Nathan Deal presented Swicord with the honor at the 17th annual presentation and recognition ceremony held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, on Wednesday, December 17, 2014.

In May of 2013, Swicord while serving as a task force officer with the United States Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force risked his life to save his fellow officers and members of the public from possible injury. Swicord and another officer were injured while attempting to stop and arrest suspects who were attempting to flee in a vehicle in Tift County. One suspect was wanted for armed robbery and aggravated assault. The suspect’s fleeing vehicle struck Officer Swicord and another member of the task force. Swicord was thrown onto the hood of the suspect’s car at which time he fired his service weapon into the suspect’s windshield, forcing the driver to stop the vehicle. Both suspects were taken into custody and approximately $10,000 and a firearm were recovered from the suspects. The driver of the vehicle suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds.

Executive Director of Parole Michael Nail says Swicord is deserving of this award.

“Parole officers selected to serve on the task force have demonstrated their experience during their career. Officer Swicord used his training and experience to take quick necessary action to protect the public and fellow officers from possibly fatal injuries. The Parole Board is proud that he was serving in this capacity and at the right time,” stated Nail.

Swicord and the other task force officer fully recovered from their injuries.

Fugitive Task Force Investigator Trent Swicord graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.  He later attended graduate school at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville where he studied public administration.

Swicord began his career in law enforcement in July 1991 as a campus police officer at Georgia College and State University’s Police Department. He transitioned to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office in November 1993 where he earned the rank of sergeant. Swicord joined the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in April 1999 and was bestowed both the Top Gun and Academic awards during Basic Parole Officer Training Class. In addition to his parole officer duties at the Milledgeville Parole Office, he served as an adjunct firearms instructor, Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) Facilitator, and Arrest Team Coordinator. In 2008, he was assigned as a task force officer to the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force in Macon and presently works as a fugitive investigator. In December 2013, Swicord was named “Employee of the Quarter” and in February 2014 he graduated from the State Board of Pardons and Paroles’ Leadership and Development Program.

For more information on the Parole Board please visit our website at www.pap.georgia.gov.

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