D’Wayne Swear, a veteran local lawman, former chief of the NCIS New Orleans office and the real-life inspiration for the lead character on the television series “NCIS: New Orleans,” died Monday in Gulfport. He was 60.
Swear worked as an agent for the Naval Criminal Intelligence Service for 25 years before retiring in 2010. Then he got a phone call that changed his life, from Gary Glasberg, the producer and showrunner of the hit CBS series and TV’s No. 1 drama, which was about to launch a spin-off of the drama filmed and set in New Orleans. Swear, who was recommended to producers by a consultant on the original "NCIS" show, agreed to serve as a technical consultant to the New Orleans show as it was being developed.
When "NCIS: New Orleans" premiered in 2014, producers gave the main character, Dwayne Pride, played by actor Scott Bakula, Swear’s first name (minus the apostrophe) to thank him for his help during their research phase. “They actually asked permission,” Swear said in 2014 interview with The Times-Picayune. “Gary (Glasberg) actually said, ‘Would you mind?’ I said, ‘I’d be honored.’”
“The idea doesn’t exist without him,” Bakula said of Swear in an interview with The Times-Picayune in 2014. “He’s such a charming guy, so likeable. He’s got great stories he loves to tell, and he loves this city.”
Swear stayed on as a consultant and technical advisor throughout the show, which is now in its fourth season, airing Tuesdays on CBS and WWL-TV Channel 4. Swear advised writers, producers and actors on the work of NCIS agents who investigate crimes involving members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as well as investigating foreign intelligence, terrorist and cyber threats to the Navy. As a native of this area, he was also a valuable resource for information on the geography, traditions and quirkiness of his hometown, as depicted on the TV drama.
“Just to reassure the people (viewers) that they're trying to do it right and trying to do it realistically,” Swear said of his involvement. “You know, I'm born and raised in New Orleans. You can live in any city in America, but New Orleans lives in you, and I'm proud of my roots,” he said in a 2015 WWL-TV interview on the set of the show. “Pinch me, I'm living the dream. It's phenomenal and I'm enjoying every minute of it,” Swear said, calling it the best retirement job ever.
He began his law enforcement career in 1977 with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a patrol sergeant and helicopter pilot. In 1985, he signed on with what was then known as the Naval Investigative Service, now known as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. He served several stints in the New Orleans field office, as well as with the office in the Philippines and working with other federal agencies. After retiring from NCIS in 2010, and before Hollywood came calling, Swear also worked with the Gulfport Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
A Gretna native, Swear was a graduate of West Jefferson High School and Our Lady of Holy Cross College (now University of Holy Cross).
Survivors include his wife, Susan; a son, two daughters and three grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 3368 Esplanade Ave. A funeral Mass will follow. There will also be a visitation at St. James Catholic Church, 366 Cowan Rd., Gulfport, Miss. on March 12 from 10 a.m. to noon with a Mass to follow.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, 414 Jefferson Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70605.
