When the gunfire started on the night of Oct. 1, 2017 at the Route 91 Festival in Las Vegas, Chad Swanson immediately told his wife to leave and find a safe place.
He then turned and ran into the crowd gathered for a night of concerts as a shooter opened fire on them from a suite at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.
"Before he disappeared into the chaos, he turned to me and said, 'Hold my beer,'" Hailey Swanson said at Wednesday's memorial for her husband, a member of the Manhattan Beach Police Department killed earlier this month in a tragic crash on a Southern California freeway. "He handed me his drink, and I watched him run off into the gunfire."
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It was a moment for which Swanson was prepared.
"Some people spend their entire lives trying to figure out what their calling is," Hailey Swanson said. "But Todd knew. Growing up he would sit their in class daydreaming about there being a fire or an earthquake, and he would be there to dig people out of rubble, carrying them to safety and save the day."
Swanson provided first aid to victims, despite having been injured himself. His wife said she didn't see him again until the next morning, shirtless and covered in the blood of those he tried to save.
"That was Chad," she said.
Swanson was remembered Wednesday for that act of heroism and his life-long devotion to public service during a funeral procession and memorial service for the 35-year-old Manhattan Beach Police motorcycle officer. Swanson, a 13-year law enforcement veteran, was killed Oct. 4 on his way to work. The married father of three young sons died at a hospital.
The funeral procession, including law enforcement colleagues, began in Manhattan Beach ahead of the 11 a.m. SeaCoast Church service in Cypress. Anyone attending the procession was asked to wear red, white and blue.
Swanson joined the Manhattan Beach Police Department 13 years ago and became a motorcycle officer in 2017. He previously worked as a parking enforcement employee in Hawthorne.
"Chad lived a life of service to the community," Chief Rachel Johnson told reporters. "His love for his work was evident each time I saw him. I last spoke with Chad on Sunday at the canine car show, and I watched as he lifted one kid after another kid onto his motorcycle to let them see what it was like to sit astride a police motor. He never tired of it. And I think he would have done it until sunset if that's what it took to make every kid's day.
"Chad was a bright star in a world that wasn't always the same. Chad was what I refer to as a seriously good dude. His infectious smile and laugh lit up every room he entered. To know Chad was to love him. If you weren't laughing when he was in the room, you simply weren't listening."
Swanson was featured in a 2017 episode of 'Hero of the Night' in recognition of his service, including his response to the Route 91 Music Festival shooting.
Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery said in a statement that the community lost "an officer who dedicated his career to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents.
"His fearless contributions to our community and beyond were marked by bravery, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to duty."
Three other vehicles were involved in the freeway crash that killed Swanson. One of the drivers might have made an unsafe lane change while speeding, according to authorities. That driver struck another car.
The officer's motorcycle was struck by one of the cars, knocking him to the ground.
