This article recounts the life and service of Captain William Bill Swineburg, a Missouri State Water Patrolman who recently passed away at 77.
Born in Springfield, Captain Swineburg served honorably in the Vietnam War, earning distinctions such as the Vietnamese Service Medal with 3 Stars.
Captain Swineburg’s law enforcement career spanned 30 years, with one of his most notable moments being his role in capturing Alis Ben Johns, a notorious fugitive who terrorized the Ozarks in 1997.
Johns, who killed three people and committed a series of robberies, was eventually found by Swineburg and his partner in Benton County.
In a tense standoff, Swineburg shot Johns when the fugitive threatened his girlfriend with a gun, ending a six-month manhunt.
Johns remains incarcerated in the Southeast Correctional Center in Missouri. Initially sentenced to death, he was later deemed intellectually disabled and spared the death penalty.
Captain Swineburg’s legacy of bravery and dedication to service is remembered fondly, and his contributions to public safety leave a lasting impact on Missouri law enforcement.