MARYVILLE — The Maryville Police Department might have accepted the Lip Sync Challenge months after other departments, but it was for good reason.
On Aug. 25, 2016 -- Maryville Police Officer Kenny Moats died in the line of duty responding to a domestic violence call.
Exactly two years later, MPD is honoring Kenny Moats and other fallen officers by mixing the lighter side of law enforcement with a personal, heartfelt message in their Lip Sync Challenge video.
Take a look:
In the video, MPD recruited help from the Maryville Fire Department and Maryville High School.
Near the end of the video, a drone camera rises up above MHS students on the football field to reveal them forming the shape of a police badge with the numbers "156" -- Officer Moats' badge number.
MPD also released the video precisely at 1:56 p.m.
"As we enjoy the lighter side of law enforcement we would also like to pay tribute to Officer Kenny Moats and every officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their life in the line of duty," MPD said in the video.
In 2017, Moats' mother created a non-profit foundation in his honor to assist the community. In May 2018, the Kenny Moats Foundation announced its first round of student scholarships for Blount County residents who are dependents of a first responder.
On Sunday, Aug. 26 there will be a memorial motorcycle ride for Officer Moats. It takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson in Blount County.
Last year, the event raised $12,500 for a college fund for Moats' children. This year, that money will go to the Officer Moats Foundation, and a portion will be given to fallen Dickson County officer Daniel Baker's family.