The Blount County Sheriff's Office is currently on the hunt for a motorcyclist believed to have potential information regarding the fatal crash that took the life of Deputy Justin Mowery. The incident, which occurred last Sunday afternoon, saw Mowery engaged in an attempt to pull over a motorcycle driver when the crash ensued, as reported by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. According to WATE, suffering the tragic loss, the BCSO is now reaching out to the public for any leads that could identify the rider.
The pursuit of the motorcyclist by Deputy Mowery led to his untimely death, further details of which have not been made available at this time. The BCSO circulated the information, along with a video caught by a deputy's cruiser camera of the motorcyclist crossing through a field near Lane Drive toward U.S. Highway 321 West, the sighting occurred at 5:13 p.m. on Sunday. This specific information was initially shared by WVLT, with Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong expressing the significance of even the smallest detail to the case.
Deputy Mowery, 30, had been with the Blount County Sheriff's Office since May 2020 and was a graduate of the BCSO Regional Training Academy, as Class 021 in October 2020. His commitment to his role was underscored in December 2021 when he earned a position on the Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics team, where he served until his recent death. Before his service at BCSO, he held the post of security officer at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. This information was provided by WBIR, which noted the connection some Alcoa Police Department officers had with Mowery.
Sheriff Berrong, deeply affected by the event, requested, "Please pray for Deputy Mowery’s family, and pray for our deputies," as noted by WBIR. The Blount County Sheriff’s Office has been vocal in its plea for assistance from anyone who "were traveling in the area Sunday afternoon and saw this motorcycle, know the identity of the driver, or have any information that could assist investigators." People with any information are urged to contact the sheriff’s office directly at 865-273-5001, use the anonymous online tip option at www.bcso.com, or call the anonymous crime hotline at 865-273-5200.
