Man accused of shooting Deputy McCowan sues for excessive force
BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Kenneth DeHart, the man accused of shooting and killing Blount County Sheriff's Deputy Greg McCowan, is suing Blount County and the Blount County Sheriff's Office for excessive force that led to injuries.
DeHart is accused of killing McCowan on February 8, 2024 during a traffic stop. He was taken into custody a few days later. His trial is set for 2026.
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According to the lawsuit, Mr. DeHart was polite and cooperative after being pulled over for a driving infraction. The officer said she smelled marijuana coming from DeHart's vehicle and called for backup. When the officers, including McCowen, asked DeHart to leave the vehicle, he told them that he didn't consent to a search, asking them to bring a drug dog, the lawsuit says.
'The officers refused to call for a drug dog, and instead quickly escalated the situation,' according to the lawsuit. 'Rather than following appropriate procedures and practices, they fired a Taser at Mr. DeHart four separate times, while simultaneously using physical force to try to remove him from the vehicle.'
DeHart begged the officers to stop and feared for his life, according to the lawsuit. The documents allege the tasing was unnecessary and unprovoked and that it caused significant, and possibly permanent, brain injuries. According to the lawsuit documents, when law enforcement personnel later searched the vehicle, they did not report recovering any marijuana.
The documents continue, 'As the fourth Tasing was ongoing, as Mr. DeHart continued to fear for his life and continued to experience extreme pain as well as disorientation as a result of the electrocution, an altercation ensued in which shots were fired, hitting both officers. Tragically, Officer McCowan died as a result of his injuries.'
It adds, 'Mr. DeHart did not plan or intend to hurt either officer and, like everyone else, is deeply saddened by the terrible outcome. Notwithstanding those facts, Mr. DeHart was a victim of the officers' improper use of excessive force, which violated the law and his constitutional rights.'
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The documents also allege that officers used excessive force against him during his arrest on February 13, causing another head injury and other injuries.
The Blount County Sheriff's Office released body camera video of the incident which can be viewed here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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