Blount County, Tennessee – Kenneth DeHart, the man accused of fatally shooting Blount County Sheriff’s Deputy Greg McCowan and injuring Deputy Shelby Eggers during a February 8, 2024 traffic stop, has filed a lawsuit against Blount County and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. DeHart claims he was subjected to excessive force during the arrest, which he alleges led to severe physical and psychological injuries.
The incident began when DeHart was pulled over for a driving infraction. According to the lawsuit, DeHart remained polite and cooperative throughout the encounter. However, when Deputy Eggers reported smelling marijuana coming from DeHart’s vehicle, she called for backup. DeHart allegedly informed the officers that he did not consent to a search and requested that a drug dog be brought to the scene, a request that was reportedly denied.
Rather than following standard procedures, DeHart’s lawsuit contends, the officers escalated the situation by attempting to remove him from the vehicle. The lawsuit claims that the officers deployed a Taser four times, using physical force simultaneously to try to extract him from the car. DeHart, according to the documents, pleaded with the officers to stop, fearing for his life as he experienced intense pain and disorientation from the electric shocks.
DeHart alleges that the use of the Taser was unprovoked and excessive, causing significant injuries, including possible permanent brain damage. Furthermore, he claims that when law enforcement later searched the vehicle, no marijuana was found, further calling into question the validity of the officers’ actions.
The lawsuit alleges that the altercation ultimately escalated into gunfire, resulting in the tragic death of Deputy McCowan and injury to Deputy Eggers. “Mr. DeHart did not plan or intend to hurt either officer and, like everyone else, is deeply saddened by the terrible outcome,” the lawsuit states. It also asserts that DeHart was the victim of improper and unlawful use of excessive force by the officers, violating his constitutional rights.
DeHart’s trial on charges related to the fatal shooting is scheduled for 2026, but his civil lawsuit against the Blount County Sheriff’s Office could impact the proceedings. The case raises important questions about the use of force by law enforcement and whether the officers involved acted within legal guidelines. As the lawsuit progresses, the details of the incident are likely to come under greater scrutiny, with both sides preparing for what promises to be a contentious legal battle.
