Maryville, Tennessee – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee honored fallen Blount County Sheriff’s Deputy Greg McCowan this morning with the Three Stars of Tennessee Award at a special ceremony in Nashville. Deputy Shelby Eggers, who was injured during the same incident in February in which Deputy McCowan was killed in the line of duty, accepted the award on behalf of Deputy McCowan’s family. A contingent of BCSO deputies were also in attendance at the ceremony.

The Three Stars of Tennessee Award recognizes law enforcement, firefighters, and medical first responders who were killed or suffered a career-ending injury in the line of duty.

“This is a beautiful tribute to Deputy McCowan and his family,” Sheriff James Lee Berrong said. “Although nothing can assuage the grief Deputy McCowan’s family continues to experience since his tragic death, this recognition by the State of Tennessee is remarkable in that Deputy McCowan’s legacy remains alive, not only through his family, but for his sacrifice and heroism as well. “