BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — On Thursday, a shooting broke out on Sevierville Road in Blount County. A deputy with the Blount County Sheriff's Office, Greg McCowan, 42, was fatally shot. Another deputy, Shelby Eggers, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening wounds.
The shooting kicked off a manhunt for the suspect, 42-year-old Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a Blue Alert, notifying people across East Tennessee about the search.
And as the search continued into early Friday morning, an outpouring of community support spread from across the area. People stood out in the rain later in the afternoon to pay respects to McCowan as his body was escorted to a funeral home in Maryville.
"Trying to be respectful... trying to show my daughter here that it's people like this who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. The least we can do is stand in the rain for a few minutes and pay our respects," a Blount County father said as he stood with his daughter in the rain. "They are hurting right now. We're sad. We're angry. But we're going to pull together."
Law enforcement agencies in Knox, Cumberland, Sevier and many other counties shared their condolences while mayors and community leaders showed grief over McCowan's death.
Among them was the Blount County Sheriff, James Berrong, who spoke during a press conference the night of the shooting.
"I've been very blessed to be sheriff for 35 years in this county, and my friends behind me, they've had officers and have stood up here before you before. I haven't. It's the hardest thing I've ever done," he said. "I'm so sorry that we've lost this young man. I talked to his family earlier. I apologize for not protecting him."
Other Blount County leaders spoke in support of McCowan's family.
"Let’s honor Deputy McCowan and Deputy Eggers by standing Blount Strong and showing that our community will not tolerate or condone such acts of violence," said Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell. "Thank you to everyone who has reached out and offered support, food and who just desperately want to help. When we feel helpless, we can always pray. Please join me in prayer for Deputy McCowan’s family, for Deputy Eggers’ recovery, and for the entire BCSO family."
The Maryville Police Department also released a statement on social media soon after the shooting. That statement is below.
"Chief Tony Jay Crisp and all the members of the Maryville Police Department would like to lift the members of the Blount County Sheriff's Office and all the members of the Blount County community in prayer during this time."
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Sheriff Tom Spangler also released a joint statement about the shooting.
"Deputy McCowan was an outstanding and exemplary officer of the law. He dedicated his life to the community as demonstrated by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office Lifesaving Commendation he deservedly earned in 2021 as he risked his own life to save a man trapped inside a burning vehicle," they said in the statement.
Lawmakers also joined in expressing sorrow over his death. Rep. Gloria Johnson (D - Knoxville) said she was one of many people offering sympathies to McCowan's family, and said lawmakers needed to act to prevent future deaths.
"First and foremost, I want to offer my deepest sympathies to Deputy McCowan's family. You know, I don't know a lot about Deputy McCowan's service, but I know that he was a hard-working law enforcement officer for Blount County who was out there doing his job. And, we know that our law enforcement officers are in danger every day. I also want to pray for Deputy Eggers and her injury as well," she said. "We've got to do what we can to protect them ... It just breaks my heart that we're going through this yet again. This family and this officer, you know, gave his life trying to keep us safe. But how about the Tennessee legislature work to keep our officers in our community safe as well?"
Rep. Bryan Richey (R - Maryville) asked families to keep the Blount County Sheriff's Office in their prayers on social media. Governor Bill Lee also said on social media that his family was heartbroken by McCowan's death and asked Tennesseans to keep his family in their prayers.
"I am heartbroken to learn a deputy was killed and another injured while protecting and defending Tennesseans in Blount County. I am holding their colleagues and loved ones in my prayers," Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R - TN) also said on social media.