Maryville, Tennessee – Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong announced the 2024 Sheriff’s Office Employees of the Year and awarded multiple commendations during the Employee Appreciation Luncheon on Monday.
“It is with great pleasure that I announced that Deputy Greg McCowan and Deputy Shelby Eggers are the Sheriff’s Office 2024 Employees of the Year,” Sheriff Berrong announced. “We selected Deputy McCowan and Deputy Eggers because of the sacrifices each made while serving our community on February 8, 2024. Tragically, Deputy McCowan made the ultimate sacrifice, but his death was not in vain. We saw a community come together in support of Deputy McCowan’s family during the days following his death, but we also watched his family grieve his death. We can never repay that debt to them, but we will continue to attempt to do just that. We have also watched Deputy Eggers heal from and overcome the injuries she sustained on that fateful night. She is now back to full duty and she’s living her dream of serving as a K-9 deputy. We are incredibly proud of her and we look forward to watching her grow as a deputy sheriff.”
Sheriff Berrong and the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy Alumni Association also recognized all of the 2024 Employees of the Month, as follows:
January – Investigator Jim Williams, Investigator Ashley Wilson, Cpl. David Cook, Investigator Kenny Murphy, Deputy Lucy Chantler
February – Deputy Bryan Smith and Sgt. Sara Wilson
July – Deputy Seth Bloodgood
August – Deputy Robert Chiruck and Deputy Austin Burger
October – Deputy Kevin Snider
**Note – March, April, May, June, September, and December there were no selections for employee of the month.
In addition to the recognition of the Employee of the Year and Employees of the Month, Sheriff Berrong also awarded multiple commendations and citations, as follows:
Commendation of Excellence – Deputy Seth Bloodgood received this honor due to his heroic actions on the night of February 8, 2024. Deputy Bloodgood provided aid to Deputy Eggers and drove her to the hospital in an effort to get her the medical care she needed quickly.
Commendation of Valor – Deputy Shelby Eggers and Deputy Greg McCowan (posthumously). Both deputies received this commendation due to their heroic actions on the night of February 8, 2024.
Additionally, several deputies also received this prestigious award due to their heroism on June 11, 2024 during an incident in Rockford in which a man opened fire on Deputy Corbin Smith and Deputy Edward Walker after they responded to a welfare check at the residence. The man engaged them by shooting hundreds of rounds at the two deputies, who were taking cover behind their vehicle. Responding deputies returned gunfire at the man and were able to rescue Deputy Smith and Deputy Walker while taking gunfire from the suspect. The following deputies received the Commendation of Valor due to their heroic actions on June 11, 2024:
Lt. Doug Moore
Sgt. Chris Carter
Cpl. Brad Garner
Cpl. Eric Costner
Cpl. David Cook
Deputy Benjamin Peagler
Sgt. Justin Beckman
Deputy Edward Walker
Deputy Corbin Smith
Purple Heart Commendation:
Deputy Greg McCowan (awarded posthumously)
Deputy Shelby Eggers
Deputy Edward Walker
Deputy Corbin Smith
The Purple Heart commendation is awarded to any deputy who, in the course of performing his/her job function, was injured as a result of adversarial action or as a result of criminal, reckless, dangerous, or grossly irresponsible act committed by another person. This is the first time the Purple Heart Commendation has been awarded in the history of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.
Lifesaving Commendation:
Deputy Corbin Smith (received 2 Lifesaving commendations)
Deputy Patrick York
Deputy Benjamin Peagler
Deputy Patrick Pearson
Deputy Brian Brannum
Deputy Chandler Clark (received 2 Lifesaving Commendations)
Capt. Jeff Burchfield
Roger Murphy
The Lifesaving Commendation is conferred up0on a sworn or civilian employee who is directly responsible for saving a life.
Citizen Service Commendation:
Mrs. Kim Pearson
Mr. Cody French
Mr. Aaron Latham
The Citizen Service Commendation is awarded to citizens in extraordinary circumstances when the individual acts in a brave and selfless manner.
Sheriff Berrong also recognized and praised Deputy Chief Chris Cantrell on his 28 years of service to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office who left the Sheriff’s Office in November after the Blount County Commission voted to appoint him to the position of Blount County Circuit Court Clerk.
Congratulations to all of our deputies who were recognized during the luncheon. Sheriff Berrong is proud of each of you!
Sheriff Berrong would also like to thank the Maryville Police Department for providing patrol services during the lunch, as well as Denso Manufacturing, Five Star Catering, and First Fruits Catering for providing lunch.
