Mike_Swoboda
Mike Swoboda
American politician
Michael Emil "Mike" Swoboda (September 29, 1938 – September 6, 2008) was the mayor of Kirkwood, Missouri for two periods (2000–2008).
He was wounded on February 7, 2008, when Charles "Cookie" Thornton went on a shooting rampage at a meeting in the city hall. Swoboda, who was one of the targets of the rampage, was taken to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in critical condition.[1][2][3][4]
Swoboda was shot in the lower jaw, with the bullet exiting from his cheek, and was also shot in the back of his head. He received a surgery on February 7 and a second on February 8, which lasted three hours.[5] On February 13, he opened his eyes, and on the 15th his condition was upgraded to serious.[6] On February 23, his condition was upgraded to satisfactory. However, on September 6, 2008, Swoboda died in hospice after a rapid health decline shortly before his 70th birthday.[7] According to Swoboda's son, cancer was an additional factor that contributed to his father's health decline.[citation needed]