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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Greg McCowan was shot and killed while backing up another deputy during a traffic stop at 4959 Sevierville Road in Maryville.
Around 8:00 p.m., a deputy pulled over a vehicle for erratic driving. After initial contact, the deputy called Deputy McCowan for backup. The driver would not cooperate and shot Deputy McCowan multiple times and the deputy in the leg. The deputy returned fire, but the subject fled in his vehicle.
Deputy McCowan was taken to Blount Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The other deputy was treated at the hospital and released.
The subject, who is a convicted felon, was apprehended five days later. The felon's brother and girlfriend were arrested and charged with aiding the defendant after the commission of the homicide.
Deputy McCowan had served with the Blount County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by two children, one granddaughter, his mother, his father, and a fiancée.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff McCowan gave the Blount County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Maryville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McCowan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Blount County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Greg is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Greg is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Greg is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2024, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 2024, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2024, 68 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Greg was 43. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Greg had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Greg was 43. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Greg had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Greg was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Greg had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Blount County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 12.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Blount County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Greg among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Blount County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
