Accident – Death – Obituary News : Blount County Sheriff’s Office Releases Body Camera Footage of Fatal Shooting During Traffic Stop
Blount County, Tennessee – The Blount County Sheriff’s Office has made public the body camera footage of a tragic shooting incident that resulted in the death of one deputy and the injury of another during a routine traffic stop. The video, released on Friday, provides a detailed account of the events that transpired on February 8 on Sevierville Road.
Deputy Greg McCowan was fatally shot during the traffic stop, while Deputy Shelby Eggers sustained injuries but has since been released from the hospital to recover at home. The footage, consisting of two sets of bodycam and dashcam videos, runs for approximately 28 minutes. Sheriff James Lee Berrong presented the videos side-by-side during a news conference, with some parts obscured to protect the personal information of the vehicle’s registered owner.
The dashcam video from Deputy Eggers’ car captured a vehicle repeatedly swerving between lanes on the two-lane road. At around 8:03 p.m., Eggers activated her police lights, prompting the car to slow down before eventually coming to a stop in the middle of the road.
Approaching the vehicle, Eggers requested the driver, identified as Kenneth Wayne DeHart, to pull into a nearby driveway. After initially pulling onto the shoulder of the road, DeHart complied with Eggers’ request and parked in the driveway. The bodycam footage revealed the interaction between Eggers and DeHart, including their conversation about the reason for the traffic stop and DeHart’s denial of any wrongdoing.
Eggers returned to her patrol car to call for backup from Deputy McCowan, informing him that she detected the smell of marijuana in the vehicle. McCowan confirmed his imminent arrival, and Eggers proceeded to approach the passenger side of the car, where DeHart was on the phone with his grandmother.
During their conversation, Eggers questioned DeHart about the presence of marijuana in the vehicle, to which he vehemently denied. The situation escalated as DeHart became frustrated, accusing Eggers of accusing him of smoking marijuana. Eggers informed DeHart that McCowan was en route and that she had probable cause to search the vehicle due to the odor of marijuana.
Refusing to allow the search, DeHart remained inside the car and locked the doors. In response, Eggers warned DeHart that they would be forced to physically remove him from the vehicle if he continued to refuse. Eggers then joined McCowan on the other side of the car, where DeHart showed them that he was recording the encounter before rolling up his window.
McCowan’s bodycam video captured the moment when Eggers attempted to pull DeHart out of the car, leading to a physical struggle. Despite McCowan brandishing a taser and repeatedly instructing DeHart to exit the vehicle, he resisted. The tension escalated as DeHart slammed the car door shut multiple times.
Tragically, at approximately 8:23 p.m., shots were fired. McCowan’s bodycam footage revealed a gun barrel through the corner of the driver’s open window. Multiple shots were discharged, hitting both deputies. McCowan fell to the ground, while Eggers sought cover. DeHart fired another shot at the fallen deputy before yelling obscenities and fleeing the scene.
Eggers returned fire from behind her patrol car as McCowan lay motionless on the ground. The car sped away, leaving McCowan behind. Despite her injuries, Eggers managed to radio for help and apply a tourniquet to her leg. Good Samaritans passing by stopped to assist, with one man helping Eggers with her tourniquet and another woman attempting to revive McCowan.
The dashcam video captured the arrival of another deputy’s car, with officers attending to Eggers and placing her in the back of their patrol car. As the car departed, another deputy rushed to McCowan’s side.
Sheriff Berrong emphasized that the video showcases the high caliber of deputies hired and trained by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. He declined to answer questions and declared that this would be the last time he viewed the footage. The release of the body camera video was delayed until after McCowan’s funeral and his family had the opportunity to view it.
The suspect in the case, Kenneth DeHart, evaded capture for nearly five days before being apprehended in Knoxville on Tuesday, one day before McCowan’s funeral. DeHart faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a weapon.
In the aftermath of the incident, a memorial fund has been set up for Deputy McCowan’s family. Additionally, three individuals, including DeHart’s brother, Marcus DeHart, his girlfriend, Carrie Matthews, and another person identified as Maurice Warren, have been charged with aiding DeHart.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office hopes that the release of the body camera footage will provide transparency and assist in the ongoing investigation into this tragic event..