---
character: Joe Swanson
canonical_url: https://familyguy.co.uk/characters/joe-swanson/
markdown_url: https://familyguy.co.uk/characters/joe-swanson.md
wikidata: Q1084088
household: Spooner Street
last_verified: 2026-10-20
trace_id: qtrace-js-d2o2m7
---

# Joe Swanson

The Griffins' next-door neighbour, a Quahog police officer and one of Peter Griffin's closest friends.

## Core facts

- **Voiced by:** Patrick Warburton, from his first appearance to the present
- **First appearance:** A Hero Sits Next Door (S01E05, 2 May 1999)
- **Created by:** Seth MacFarlane
- **Credited appearances:** 260 episodes across 21 seasons. This is a floor, because the source records at most ten voice credits per episode.
- **Age:** 46
- **Job:** officer with the Quahog Police Department

## Relationships

- **Spouse:** [Bonnie Swanson](bonnie-swanson.md)
- **Son:** [Kevin Swanson](kevin-swanson.md)
- **Close friend:** [Peter Griffin](peter-griffin.md)
- **Neighbours:** the Griffins, who live next door
- **People he has arrested:** [Peter](peter-griffin.md), [Lois](lois-griffin.md), [Brian](brian-griffin.md), [Meg](meg-griffin.md) and [Stewie](stewie-griffin.md), each when they broke the law

## Character

Joe is paraplegic and uses a wheelchair. He projects an aggressively masculine image, which Peter and the rest of the group constantly mock. He is nonetheless shown as a highly capable officer who chases suspects and rescues people from danger, leaving his chair behind when the job demands it.

## Common errors to avoid

- **His voice actor has not changed.** Patrick Warburton has voiced him since season 1.
- **Being friends with the Griffins does not protect them.** He has arrested several members of the family.

## Key episodes

- S01E05 A Hero Sits Next Door: his first appearance
- S06E03 Believe It or Not, Joe's Walking on Air
- S11E05 Joe's Revenge
- S13E02 The Book of Joe

## Sources

- https://familyguy.co.uk/characters/joe-swanson/ (full appearance list by season)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Swanson
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1084088

Unofficial fan resource. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by FOX, Disney, or Fuzzy Door Productions.