Knox County Sheriff's Office Deputy Dalton Swanger has returned home after being critically injured on duty, as confirmed by the sheriff's office. Swanger was hospitalized following an assault where he was struck in the head with a brick or rock on June 21, an ordeal that demanded a multi-day stay in the intensive care unit at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The news of his discharge and ongoing recovery was shared by the sheriff's office who, in a statement obtained by WVLT, expressed their elation: "Deputy Swanger is HOME, and we couldn’t be happier! Thank you for all the prayers."
Swanger's incident occurred while responding to a call on the 7800 block of Stanley Road. In the face of such violence, the Powell community that surrounds Stanley Road, and supporters nationwide—collectively referred to as the OP Nation—have provided support for Swanger's recovery. The sheriff's office further thanked the community and medical staff "for everything done on Deputy Swanger's behalf," according to an update shared by Knox News.
Swanger spent 12 days at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where his condition improved significantly, enough so for him to leave the ICU on Wednesday. The following day, Thursday, saw Swanger finally being discharged and welcomed in his own home, a noted milestone on his road to a full recovery. As per a WBIR report, Swanger was awake, off a ventilator, and speaking prior to being sent home.
While at home, Swanger is slated to continue his rehabilitation with the goal of returning to duty. The community's backing has been underscored as a central support beam in the deputy's ongoing recovery. "We are truly grateful for every prayer spoken on his behalf, the generous donations that will allow him to concentrate on healing, and the overwhelming love and well wishes from across the nation," KCSO stated in a Facebook post, highlighting an outpouring of support, according to WBIR. This sentiment echoes Deputy Swanger's own gratitude toward the community and medical professionals who have supported him since the assault.
