Two members of the public, Sandra Soloman and Ricky Williams, were honored by Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong for their selfless actions at the scene of a shooting that claimed the life of Deputy Greg McCowan and injured Deputy Shelby Eggers. On February 8, Soloman and Williams were driving on Sevierville Road when they stopped to help Deputy Eggers, applying a tourniquet to her injured leg and providing support until additional deputies arrived.
Sheriff Berrong and Deputy Eggers attended a ceremony at the Blount County Justice Center to thank Soloman and Williams for their heroic actions. The sheriff’s office presented them with Citizen Service Awards, commending their bravery and willingness to help in a time of need. The suspect in the shooting, Kenneth DeHart, was apprehended in Knoxville after nearly five days on the run and has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and felon in possession of a weapon.
DeHart’s brother, girlfriend, and another man have also been charged in connection with the shooting as accessories-after-the-fact. Deputy McCowan was honored in a public funeral service attended by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee before being laid to rest at Grandview Cemetery. The sheriff’s office expressed gratitude to Soloman and Williams for their exceptional courage and service, emphasizing the importance of citizens who go above and beyond to help others in times of crisis.
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