KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In the wake of another tragic death of a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty, several families and the community, are grieving. Deputy Greg McCowan's death, and Deputy Shelby Egger's injuries while on duty, have shattered the Blount County community and beyond.
Knox County Sheriff's Office Chaplain Leland Lyons helped Tucker Blakely's family after his tragic death in October.
"Since I've been a Chaplain, since I have been with the department, I've seen at least three other line of duty deaths," Lyon said. "One of those line of duty deaths was my brother."
Most recently, he was by the side of Deputy Shelby Eggers's family at UT Medical Center while she received treatment. Authorities said Eggers was shot in the leg during a routine traffic stop. Her partner, McCowan, was shot and killed.
He shared how a chaplain's job is to provide the ministry of presence.
"They were worried sick, I hated it for them," he said. "You got a mother and a father who are stressed to the nth degree but are hanging on to hope. To be in that room when they're told that she appears to be okay, but that her partner did not make it. And they were as devastated as if it was her. Because police families have that bond."
It's a bond Lyon knows well. His brother, KCSO Assistant Chief Deputy Keith Lyon died in a car crash in 2006 while on duty.
"My father, who was one of the founding chaplains in Knox County made the comment after our experience with my brother Keith's death," Lyons said. "He said that the Knox County Sheriff's Office ministered more to him than he ever did to them. They are a tremendous family."
Chaplain Lyon said he was in a vehicle close to Tucker Blakely's hearse during the funeral procession. He said he will do the same for Deputy McCowan.
Lyon is a pastor at Shepard of the Hills Baptist Church.