Kirk Schwabe, a former Chicago police officer and criminal justice teacher who later became a personal security guard for singer Taylor Swift, passed away from cancer on July 3, the same day Swift married Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Schwabe was 69 years old.

Schwabe’s family confirmed his death shortly after he gave his first and only interview ahead of Swift’s wedding. His wife, Jane Schwabe, described his relationship with the singer, saying he treated Swift “like he did his daughters.” Their daughter, also named Jane, highlighted her father’s compassionate nature, saying he had “a remarkable way of making people feel seen, valued and protected,” adding that this applied whether to family, students, or people like Swift whose lives intersected with his.

Before transitioning into education, Schwabe served as a police officer in Chicago. He later taught criminal justice at Hendersonville High School in Nashville, where Swift was a student from 2004 to 2006. In 2009, Schwabe left teaching to become Swift’s security guard at the request of her father, as her music career was rapidly gaining momentum.

In his interview, Schwabe recalled telling Swift early on that she was destined for success, saying, “This is not fun and games no more. You are it. Everything keeps going up and up and up, and the sky’s the limit for you.” Swift has previously described Schwabe’s criminal justice class as the “most exciting” course she took during high school, and elements from those lessons have appeared in her songwriting, notably in the track “No Body, No Crime.”

Schwabe’s family emphasized the lasting impact he had not only on Swift but on all those he encountered, underscoring his dedication to making others feel valued and protected throughout his life.