The Knox County Sheriff's Office is mourning the loss of a seasoned law enforcement veteran, Chief Deputy Bernie Lyon, who passed away early Monday after a two-week battle for his health in the Intensive Care Unit. According to WBIR, Lyon was admitted to the hospital on last last Wednesday and had been showing signs of improvement before his eventual passing.
With an impressive tenure of over four decades at KCSO, Lyon's commitment to the force was unwavering. During his career, he filled nearly every position available, and was serving as chief deputy since 2018 after being appointed by Sheriff Tom Spangler. As reported by WATE, in a heartfelt statement, Spangler referred to Lyon as a trusted advisory, a true friend, and a brother.
Lyon's legacy is interwoven with his family's history in law enforcement. His service was preceded by that of his father, Chaplain Gale Lyon, and brother, Chief Keith Lyon, and he worked alongside another brother, current KCSO Chaplain Lee Lyon. Bernie Lyon is survived by his son, Taylor, whom he leaves behind, along with a remarkable legacy in the Knox County community.
In the wake of his death, there has been an outpouring of support and condolences from East Tennessee emergency responders and law enforcement agencies. WVLT has highlighted the wide-reaching impact of Lyon's passing, noting the statements released by several agencies expressing their sympathies to KCSO and the Lyon family. Lyon's long-standing service and his impact on the community were also commemorated with a law enforcement procession that escorted his body to Mynatt Funeral Home in Powell.
