Mark SZWEDA

28 JUL 1968 - 5 FEB 2014

• BIRTH: 28 JUL 1968, South Bend, IN
• BURIAL: Cremation - Memorial Christ the King, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 5 FEB 2014, South Bend, IN

INDEX

[N2696] Mark J. Szweda
July 28, 1968 - Feb. 5, 2014
SOUTH BEND - Mark J. Szweda, 45, of South Bend, passed away on February 5, 2014. Mark was born on July 28, 1968, in South Bend, to Jerry and Monica (Kupriewski) Szweda. Mark is survived by his two sisters, Lynn M. Szweda and Lori A. Szweda, both of South Bend. He is also survived by two nieces, Erin Cantu and Olivia Flanagan; great-niece, Lilliana Cantu; nephew, Shane Cantu; his girlfriend, Terilyn Montagu; and his beloved dog, Louie. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Szweda on June 6, 2010, and Monica Szweda on October 25, 2013. Mark was an 18-year veteran of the South Bend Police Department. Over his honorable career, he served as a supervisor in the Gang Unit, NEST, Detective Bureau Investigative Division, and as a Patrol Sergeant in the Uniform Division working the west side of South Bend. He was a fair and honest law enforcement officer who cherished his job and was loved by many. Mark leaves behind his family whom he loved and cherished dearly, countless friends, and a community who knew that he was a hero, and was always proud to serve and protect any one of them. He was incredibly generous with his time and treasures, and if he knew someone was in need he would never hesitate to give. He laughed wholeheartedly, loved fully, had a captivating personality, and had a great sense of humor. He always had your back. Among his many hobbies was his love for Notre Dame football, the Chicago Bears, fishing, hunting, and his Polish heritage. Mark had the heart of a lion and was fiercely loyal; now we all have a guardian angel we know by name. The family requests that all memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital located at 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, Feb. 15th, at 11:00 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church, located at 52473 Indiana 933, South Bend, IN 46637, with Rev./ Fr. Neal Wack, C.S.C., officiating. Mark's wishes were to be cremated, and his loving family honored those wishes. The HANLEY & Sons "Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home and Cremation Services handled arrangements and extends its deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Szweda family. Published in South Bend Tribune on Feb. 9, 2014

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City police Sgt. Mark Szweda dies
MARK SZWEDA
South Bend Police Sgt. Mark Szweda

Christian Sheckler
Posted on Feb 5, 2014
by Christian Sheckler

SOUTH BEND -- A South Bend police officer was found dead in his home early Wednesday morning, but the factors that led to the death may remain unclear for at least several weeks. Sgt. Mark Szweda, 45, was an 18-year veteran of the South Bend Police Department and had served as a detective and patrol shift supervisor. Capt. Phil Trent said a civilian who went to check on Szweda found him unconscious about 5:30 a.m. and called 911. Trent said he had no information about how Szweda died. Szweda was off-duty, and there appeared to be "nothing suspicious" about the death, Trent said, adding that the St. Joseph County coroner's office is investigating. "On behalf of the entire police department, we offer condolences to his family and friends," Trent said.
Deputy Coroner Michael O'Connell said an autopsy Wednesday proved inconclusive, and it may take several weeks to get lab test results that could shed light on the cause of death. An autopsy can reveal obvious medical events such as a heart attack or hemorrhaging, but other possible causes can only be determined with microscopic and toxicology reports, O'Connell said. O'Connell said nothing about Szweda's death suggested the type of physical trauma that could have resulted from violence. "Everything's under investigation," he said. "We don't have any indication of foul play, if you mean a traumatic event taking place." The autopsy showed Szweda had an enlarged heart, a possible result of hypertension, for which he had been prescribed medication, O'Connell said. Szweda was the son of another longtime South Bend police officer, Jerry Szweda, who was a member of the department's first K-9 unit and reached the rank of captain before his retirement. A 20-year veteran of the department, Jerry Szweda died in 2010.
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