Kenneth Wayne DeHart : “Blount County Deputy’s Fatal Shooting Footage Released: TN Tragedy”

EDITOR’S NOTE: The content in this story is jarring and may be unsettling or inappropriate for some viewers. It contains descriptions of body camera footage of a traffic stop that ended with a shooting that left one deputy dead and another injured.

BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — The Blount County Sheriff’s Office has released body camera video of a traffic stop that turned deadly, resulting in the death of Deputy Greg McCowan and the injury of Deputy Shelby Eggers.

The incident occurred on February 8 on Sevierville Road in Blount County. Deputy McCowan was fatally shot during the traffic stop, while Deputy Eggers was also shot but survived.

Sheriff James Lee Berrong held a news conference to showcase the body camera and dashcam footage of the incident. During the conference, Sheriff Berrong made it clear that some parts of the video were obscured to protect the personal information of the individual the car was registered to.

The video footage, which lasted approximately 28 minutes, included the body camera and dashcam videos from both deputies. Deputy Eggers’ footage was shown first, followed by Deputy McCowan’s.

According to the dashcam video from Deputy Eggers’ car, the suspect vehicle was seen swerving between lanes multiple times. Deputy Eggers activated her police lights and pulled the car over. After the car’s lights were turned on, it slowed down and eventually stopped on the road.

Deputy Eggers then approached the vehicle and asked the driver, later identified as Kenneth Wayne DeHart, to pull into a nearby driveway. The driver complied, and Deputy Eggers began speaking with him. She questioned him about his erratic driving and asked if he had been drinking. The driver denied drinking and explained that he had been on the phone with his son.

Deputy Eggers requested the driver’s license, which he handed over. She then asked for the vehicle’s registration, which he also provided after showing her his phone. Deputy Eggers returned to her car and called for backup from Deputy McCowan, informing him that she smelled marijuana in the vehicle.

Deputy Eggers went back to the driver’s car and asked him if there was marijuana inside. The driver denied having any marijuana and became frustrated, claiming that Deputy Eggers was accusing him of smoking marijuana. Deputy Eggers explained that she only smelled it and had probable cause to search the vehicle.

As the situation escalated, Deputy McCowan arrived at the scene. Deputy Eggers informed him that the driver was refusing to exit the vehicle, and they discussed the possibility of forcibly removing him. Deputy Eggers approached the passenger side of the vehicle, where the driver’s grandmother was on the phone. They briefly discussed proof of car insurance.

Deputy Eggers continued to try to persuade the driver to allow a search of the vehicle, but he refused and rolled up his window. Deputy McCowan approached the driver’s side, and a struggle ensued as they attempted to remove him from the car. The body camera footage from Deputy McCowan’s perspective showed him deploying a taser in an effort to gain compliance.

During the struggle, shots were fired, hitting both deputies. Deputy McCowan fell to the ground, while Deputy Eggers sought cover and returned fire. The driver, later identified as Kenneth DeHart, fired one more shot at Deputy McCowan before fleeing the scene.

The body camera footage captured the chaos and the aftermath of the shooting. Deputy Eggers, despite being injured, managed to use a tourniquet on herself to stop the bleeding. Good Samaritans passing by stopped to help, with one assisting Deputy Eggers and another checking on Deputy McCowan, who was unresponsive.

The suspect, Kenneth DeHart, evaded police for nearly five days before being captured at a home in Knoxville. He has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a weapon.

Deputy McCowan’s funeral has taken place, and a memorial fund has been set up to support his family. Additionally, three individuals have been charged with aiding Kenneth DeHart: his brother, Marcus DeHart, his girlfriend, Carrie Matthews, and another individual named Maurice Warren.

The release of the body camera footage highlights the dangers that law enforcement officers face daily and the bravery and professionalism they exhibit in the line of duty. The Blount County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to serving and protecting the community.