Police capture Kenneth DeHart, suspect wanted in killing of Blount County deputy

Kenneth Wayne DeHart Jr., the man accused of killing a Blount County deputy and injuring another, was captured Feb. 13 in Knoxville, the Blount County Sheriff's Office announced.

Detectives tracked DeHart's cellphone during the manhunt, and eventually their work led them to a home on Linden Avenue in Knoxville's Park City neighborhood. When they saw him step outside, they moved in using flash-bangs, partially to freeze a dog at the house.

DeHart surrendered with his hands up, police said, and he was arrested about 3:20 p.m. Officers from the Blount County Sheriff's Office, Knox County Sheriff's Office, Knoxville Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Marshals Service were on the scene with tactical gear and vehicles. No one was hurt.

DeHart was booked in a Blount County jail at the same time Deputy Greg McCowan's friends and family were mourning him a few miles away at Sevier Heights Baptist Church. DeHart was moved to an undisclosed facility outside of Blount County after he was booked so that he was in custody of authorities not connected to the sheriff's office.

“He killed one of my deputies," Sheriff James Berrong explained. "I didn’t want any appearance that if something happened it was at our fault or our doing.”

DeHart was wanted on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a weapon. Just before 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8, McCowan and deputy Shelby Eggers tried to stop his SUV in on Sevierville Road in Maryville, a release from TBI said, and DeHart shot both deputies.

The Blount County DA will determine in the coming weeks, in consultation with McCowan's family, whether to pursue the death penalty.

“I want the death penalty. I want to go,” Berrong said after the arrest.

How police tracked Kenneth DeHart

Investigators think DeHart could have used multiple vehicles to get around after he ran from the shooting scene the night of Feb. 8. He was traced in several counties and may have left Tennessee at some point, perhaps into Georgia.

Police say the home where he was arrested, about 15 miles north of where the shooting occurred, didn't belong to him. Investigators will continue to look into whether he had any help along the way. His brother and girlfriend are facing charges that they helped him escape.

"He may have been in and out of that location (the house) a few times during the five days and then reappeared back there today. We’re not totally sure how long he was there today when this happened. We actually do not think that he was probably at that house that long today,” said U.S. Marshal David Jolley.

Thousands of tips came in, Berrong said, but the $100,000 reward likely won't be paid out because none led police to the house where DeHart was found.

A community in mourning

At the Blount County Justice Center in Maryville, on East Lamar Alexander Parkway, McCowan's cruiser was on display, almost unrecognizable beneath mounds of flowers and handwritten notes.

Just steps away, veteran Patrick Barlow paid his respects by holding an American flag on the sidewalk for those passing by. He planned his arrival and departure around a shift change so more law enforcement officers could see his message.

“This man’s family shared him with us,” he told Knox News. “This isn’t about me. … Every vehicle, if they’re using this entrance and exit, they’re getting a salute because it might be family or it might be the janitor or something, but it takes everybody.”

Moments later, people nearby received a cellphone news alert: DeHart has been located. Audible cheers erupted from across the street at Blount Memorial Hospital.

Blount County deputy's funeral

A funeral service with police honors for McCowan will take place at 1 p.m. Feb. 14 at Sevier Heights Baptist Church, 3140 Maloney Road in Knoxville.

Following the funeral, which should end between 2:30-3 p.m., there will be a funeral procession from Sevier Heights Baptist Church to Grandview Cemetery at 2304 Tuckaleechee Pike in Maryville. The procession will take Alcoa Highway southbound to Hall Road in Blount County, and then to Tuckaleechee Pike in Maryville and end at Grandview Cemetery.

Community members are welcome to stand in a safe spot along the route.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Police capture Kenneth DeHart, wanted in killing of Blount County deputy