Blount County marks a solemn anniversary as it remembered Deputy Greg McCowan, who lost his life in the line of duty one year ago. The Blount County Sheriff's Office halted on Saturday to commemorate the loss of McCowan, who was fatally wounded during a routine traffic stop on February 8, 2024. A memorial video, along with touching statements, was shared on social media, highlighting McCowan's sacrifice and the enduring pain of his loved ones, WATE reported.

On the tragic day, after Deputy Shelby Eggers conducted a stop for erratic driving, McCowan was called in to assist. The confrontation that followed resulted to tragically claim his life, leaving not only a department but a community to painfully reflect on the cost of such unwarranted violence. According to WVLT, the suspect, Kenneth DeHart, was apprehended after an intense five-day manhunt, culminating in a mixture of relief and determined justice within the law enforcement community.

Blount County Sheriff James Berrong, carrying over three decades of service, emphasized the unique and grievous nature of this event, sharing with WBIR that McCowan's killing was the first he had experienced on his force. Berrong recounted the night of the shooting, saying, "Why didn't he just drive off? We'd chase him a while, throw the gun away, jump out and run. We'd put him in jail for felony, evading and reckless driving — whatever it may be. He would have got out and everybody would have gone home that night." 

Months following McCowan's death, the man accused of the shooting, DeHart, entered a "not guilty" plea to 21 counts, including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. The trial, expected to start on April 13, 2026, could see DeHart facing the death penalty, with the prosecution having already filed court documents to pursue the severest of sentences, as reported by WVLT.