By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Niles City Police Officer Scott Swanson packed away his police uniform 15 months ago to prepare for his third deployment with the United States Army. This was his first time Swanson, a Staff Sgt., served in a Middle Eastern country, which he described as being "hot, very hot."
A surprise luncheon was held for Swanson Wednesday afternoon where officers from the Niles Police Department, Michigan State Police and law enforcement staff welcomed him back.
"It feels real good to be here. That was my last deployment so it's nice knowing I am here to stay," Swanson said.
His wife, Anna, is also pleased to have him home.
"He's went away on three long stays and it's been hard, especially with the boys at home," she said. Together, the two have three sons, two who are are twins.
Swanson was stationed at Camp Arifjan, which is south of Kuwait City. On his second deployment, he was stationed at Camp Delta in Guantanamo Bay Cuba and during his first deployment, he was in Fort Hood Texas where he worked with Homeland Security.
"Being in the Middle East was a different experience. Either we were going 100 miles per hour or we were going zero," he said.
Swanson will return to his position as a Niles City police officer next Wednesday.