Suspect during traffic stop
photo by Blount County Sheriff's Office
A Maryville, Tn., deputy was shot and killed and another officer was injured on Thursday during a traffic stop.
Police said preliminary information indicates that just before 8:30 p.m. Thursday, deputies with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on an SUV in the 4900 block of Sevierville Road in Maryville. The driver, identified as Kenneth Wayne DeHart, Jr. 42, would not cooperate with deputies and refused to get out of the vehicle. A taser was deployed with no effect.
At some point during the encounter, DeHart produced a gun and fired shots, striking both deputies. At least one of the deputies returned fire.
One deputy, Greg McCowen, was transported to an area hospital, where he later died. The other deputy, Shelby Eggers, was also transported with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. She was shot in the leg and was treated and released.
DeHart drove away from the scene.
Early Friday morning, TBI agents obtained warrants charging Kenneth DeHart with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm. A statewide Blue Alert was issued for DeHart, and he was added to the TBI Most Wanted list. He has not been located and is the subject of a search by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
The reward for information leading to the arrest of Dehart is now at $80,000, thanks to several pledges from businesses and individuals. Please call (865)981-7125 if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Dehart.
Deputy Greg McCowan
photo by Blount County Sheriff's Office