Law Enforcement officers and citizens gathered together Wednesday, May 15, to honor fallen officers at the Maryville Police Department Public Safety Plaza.
Walking up to the plaza, the sound of bagpipes being played by Cade Hackney rang out as groups of officers and supporters chatted in small groups.
It was an overcast, slightly chilly morning that matched the somber tone of the event.
Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp welcomed and informed everyone that the day was Peace Officers Memorial Day. He said the day was “a time to pay tribute and honor to our brave officers who lost their lives while protecting their communities.”
Maryville Police Department Honor Guard presented a wreath to honor fallen officers and performed the presentation of colors, where they brought up the U.S. flag and the Tennessee flag.
MPD Lt. Mike Hicks gave a rendition of the national anthem and afterward, MPD Sgt. Shaun O’Neal led everyone in the pledge of allegiance.
Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond followed the pledge and gave a compelling commentary about his work in the 5th Judicial District. He talked about his professional life and time spent in the courtroom. While he acknowledged that judges headed the courtrooms, Desmond said there was one exception — trial days. On trial days, “that’s the state’s courtroom,” he said.
He explained that while he could call on any one prosecuting witness, he always chooses to call on a law enforcement officer.
“We want our table to represent justice. We want our table to represent truth,” Desmond said.
He went on to say that during dark events, there is always a “good guy” and a “bad guy.”
Desmond looked out at the crowd and told the officers present, “You are the good guys.”
In his speech, Desmond referenced the shooting death of BCSO Deputy Greg McCowan. He mentioned that his death was the second time in eight years that an officer from the community was killed in the line of duty.
“For the second time, you were absolutely rocked, but you weren’t alone,” he told officers, “This community was rocked right along beside you.”
He described riding in McCowan’s procession and said, “I rode those 14 miles and I will never forget until the day I die what I experienced and what I observed over those 14 miles.”
He talked about how impactful it was to see the thousands of community members who showed up and lined the road to show their support during the procession.
He ended his time by reading Paul Harvey’s monologue “Policeman” and told the audience, “We in Blount County have a special community here.”
He attributed the safety and uniqueness of the community to the law enforcement officers serving within the community.
After Desmond spoke, Blount County Sheriff James Berrong retired Deputy McCowan’s badge.
Berrong asked family of fallen officers to stand so they could be recognized.
He talked about the emotional weight of going through the death of McCowan and the subsequent search for Kenneth DeHart.
He said this was the first time in the history of BCSO that they have retired a badge.
“Deputy McCowan, we have it from here,” he said.
Townsend Police Chief Kevin Condee introduced the next section of the event which was to honor each fallen officer across three agencies: MPD, APD and BCSO. While an officer read a brief description of the details of the fallen officer’s death, a rose was placed into the white and purple wreath at the front.
After officers placed each rose within the wreath, Hackney played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. Fittingly, as soon as they ended the song, sirens rang out from a distance.
Alcoa Police Chief David Carswell gave the closing remarks:
“Ladies and gentlemen, today we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their courage, dedication and selflessness will never be forgotten. Let us carry their legacy close to our hearts as we continue to uphold the values, justice, integrity and service. May their memory inspire us to strive for a safer and more just society for all.”
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