Tennessee State Police released graphic body camera footage of the officer-involved shooting that left Deputy Greg McCowan dead and Deputy Shelby Eggers injured.
Blount County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) split-screen body camera footage shows Deputy Eggers stop his car and approach Kenneth DeHart, 42, on February 8th.
Initially, DeHart cooperated with officers and peacefully surrendered his registration and license.
Eggers told the 42-year-old man that she had stopped the car because he had swerved on the road. She explained that Eggers was on the phone with her grandmother when she swerved.
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McCowan (left) was shot and killed during a traffic stop Thursday night. Eggers, yes, was injured. (Blount County Sheriff’s Office)
The situation quickly escalated after Deputy Eggers noticed an odor of marijuana coming from his silver SUV and told him the vehicle needed to be searched.
“I don’t have any marijuana. Don’t be like that,” DeHart said in the video. “I refuse to search.”
“I’ve never smoked pot,” he continued.
“I’m not trying to mess with you. I’m trying to make this easy,” Egger can be heard saying.
Split-screen video shows two views of the interaction. One from McCowan’s body camera and the other from the police car’s dash camera. (Blount County Sheriff’s Office)
Eggers repeatedly explained that he had probable cause to search the vehicle, but DeHart refused to comply with the deputy’s requests.
“If you don’t get out of your car, what’s going to happen?” Eggers said. “I’m going to pull you out of the car and arrest you.”
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When McCowan arrived at the scene, officers forced their way into DeHart’s SUV and attempted to remove him.
I hear him say repeatedly, “I can’t do this, I can’t do this.” “Please take your hands off me.”
After the suspect did not comply with officers’ demands, McCowan fired a Taser.
The footage showed DeHart screaming in pain and struggling after being shot multiple times with a Taser.
On Feb. 8, Deputy Greg McCowan was shot and killed during a traffic stop in the 4900 block of Sevierville Road. (Blount County Sheriff’s Office)
The video shows DeHart slamming the door and firing a barrage of gunfire at both deputies.
Both deputies were shot and killed during the shooting, footage showed.
In the graphic footage, McCowan can be seen immediately falling to the ground. Deputy Eggers was seen trying to take cover after being shot.
DeHart fired another shot and then ran off screaming obscenities. As he drove away, McCowan’s body was seen lying motionless on the ground.
After the dramatic shooting, Mr. Eggers was heard saying on the radio that he had been shot along with Mr. McCowan.
After radioing for help, she attempted to apply a tourniquet, but footage showed blood flowing from her leg.
Officer Eggers was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Feb. 8, and two civilians pulled over to help him. (Blount County Sheriff’s Office)
A short time later, a truck containing a man and a woman was seen pulling up next to Eggers and offering assistance.
“I’ve been shot. Yes, I need help,” Eggers is heard telling the civilian man and woman.
The man helped Eggers apply a tourniquet.
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The woman walked up to Mr. McCowan and returned and said he was “not breathing.”
Other officers eventually arrived at the scene, removed McCowan’s body and assisted Eggers.
Mr Eggers can be heard saying in the video: “Please take care of Greg.”
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deputy killed in the line of duty Thursday night as Greg McCowan. (Blount County Sheriff’s Office)
of sheriff’s office McCowan, 43, said he began his full-time career there in 2020 after serving as a reserve lieutenant.
“He received the Sheriff’s Office Lifesaving Citation in April 2021 for saving the life of a man trapped in a burning vehicle. He is a paramedic and recently The negotiating team was also excited to present the recent results of the “certificate for use”.
“Deputy McCowan was always smiling and friendly to everyone. He loved riding motorcycles and restoring old cars,” the sheriff’s office added. “Deputy McCowan leaves behind his children Kaylee and Kayden, his granddaughter Ella, his mother and father, his fiancée Leah, and numerous family members and friends.
Deputy Shelby Eggers, 22, was wounded in the shooting. (Blount County Sheriff’s Office)
Eggers, 22, currently serves as a patrol lieutenant.
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“Officer Eggers knew he wanted to work for BCSO even before he graduated from Heritage High School in 2019,” the sheriff’s office said. “She was excited when she was accepted into the academy. She was an outstanding recruit, as was Deputy McCowan.”
