An investigation is underway after a sheriff’s deputy was killed and another injured during a traffic stop in Tennessee on Thursday, Blount County Sheriff James Belong said.
In a press conference early Friday morning, the sheriff’s office identified the slain deputy as Greg McCowan. It was also revealed that a female deputy was shot in the leg and taken to a local hospital.
Authorities are actively searching for Kenneth Wayne DeHart, 42, in connection with a fatal traffic crash in Maryville Thursday night. Bellon said warrants were issued for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Details about the traffic stop and what led to the fatal shooting in the 4900 block of Sevierville Road were not immediately available.
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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)
A Blue Alert has been issued in Tennessee for DeHart, who was last seen in the Wildwood neighborhood east of Maryville. He was driving a silver Lexus, but is believed to be traveling on foot and is considered “armed and dangerous.”
He is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, 6 feet tall and weighing 260 pounds. He now has dreadlocks, according to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office released photos of Kenneth DeHart, 42, during a traffic stop Thursday night that left a deputy dead and another injured. (Blount County Sheriff’s Office)
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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is assisting local law enforcement in the search and investigation of DeHart.
He was added to the state’s Most Wanted list Friday morning, and the TBI is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest.
Bellon said County Mayor Blount is also offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Information regarding DeHart’s whereabouts can be left with BCSO at 865-981-7125 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
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Bellon said she tearfully spoke to McCowan’s family Friday morning and apologized for “not being able to protect him.”
“We’re going to take this man off the streets of East Tennessee and put him behind bars,” Bellon promised.
