Blount County Deputy Killed In Traffic Stop

Local law enforcement is in mourning today after two Blount County deputies were shot and one of them fatally on Thursday. Deputy Greg McCowan was shot and killed during a traffic stop Thursday evening on Sevierville Road…US Hwy 411…between Maryville and Seymour. A female deputy was also shot and returned fire. She was not seriously wounded and was treated and later released at a local hospital.

The shooting suspect is 42 year old Kenneth Dehart. He was driving a silver Lexus and is considered to be armed and dangerous. US Hwy 411 was shut down in that area while police worked the scene and looked for the suspect. Dehart is still on the loose this morning. Warrants for his arrest have been issued for first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and being a felon in possession of a handgun. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.

Deputy Greg McCowan is the first deputy to be killed in the line of duty in Blount County since 1956.