Eastern Tennessee law enforcement officials are intensifying their search for 42-year-old Kenneth Wayne DeHart, following a tragic incident that resulted in the death of Deputy Greg McCowan and injuries to Deputy Shelby Eggers. The search was initiated after a traffic stop in Maryville turned deadly on Thursday evening.
Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong, in an emotional address, confirmed the incident, stating that warrants for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and felon in possession of a firearm have been issued against Dehart. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has also issued a Blue Alert, signaling an imminent threat to public safety and aiding in the manhunt for Dehart, who is now on the TBI’s Most Wanted list.
The confrontation began when deputies McCowan and Eggers initiated a traffic stop on an SUV driven by Dehart on Sevierville Road. Dehart, refusing to comply with the deputies’ instructions, engaged in a fatal exchange of gunfire after a taser deployed against him had no effect. Deputy McCowan succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while Deputy Eggers, after being treated for gunshot wounds, is now recovering at home.
A Blount County Sheriff’s official shows a picture of Deputy Greg McCowan, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Maryville, Tennessee.
AP
Authorities have described Dehart as “armed and dangerous” and believe he is traveling on foot after his vehicle was found abandoned in the Wildwood area. The sheriff’s office and TBI are collaborating in the search, with the community being urged to avoid any contact with Dehart and to report any sightings or information to law enforcement.
In honor of McCowan’s service, the Blount County Mayor’s Office has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to Dehart’s capture, supplemented by an additional $2,500 reward from the TBI. McCowan had been a full-time deputy since 2020, previously serving as a reserve deputy for a year.
The Blue Alert system, utilized in this manhunt, is designed for situations exactly like this – when a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured by an offender who then poses a significant threat to the community and other officers. It facilitates rapid dissemination of information to the public to assist in capturing the suspect.
For anyone with information on Dehart’s whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact the authorities at 1-800-TBI-FIND. The law enforcement community and the citizens of Blount County are united in their resolve to bring Deputy McCowan’s killer to justice and ensure the safety of their community.
