The Knox County Sheriff’s Office releases a message from their Deputy, Dalton Swanger, who was seriously injured while responding to call. KCSO updates and information follows Deputy Swanger’s message.

A message from Deputy Swanger-

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and I haven’t had the chance to speak to everyone directly. First, I want to start by thanking each and every one of you who stood by me through this experience.

To the UT Medical staff, my brothers and sisters at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and my friends and family who tirelessly stood by my side and told me it was going to be okay — thank you.

To the entire team at On Patrol: Live, thank you for constantly checking in on my well-being.

To Stephania, my girlfriend — you stood by my side with unwavering strength. You had no obligation to be there, especially as much as you were, but you remained with me 24 hours a day with wholehearted determination that I would recover. That love will never be forgotten.

To every stranger who reached out by mail or third party — your prayers carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life.

To the fans of On Patrol: Live — your outpouring of love, support, and prayer was overwhelming. Every letter, every kind word made me feel more confident that I would return.

To everyone who contributed, helped organize, or supported the fundraisers — your assistance is invaluable to me and my family.

And above all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for renewing my faith and showing me that even when I don’t deserve His grace, it still falls upon me. He is my true strength.

⸻

What Happened

Many have asked about my injuries and what exactly happened that night. Here is a brief summary, to the best of my ability and with the most accuracy I can provide.

We responded to what was originally dispatched as a shots fired/domestic call. After contacting the complainant, we began searching for the alleged suspect. As we announced our presence, we were met with a violent and aggressive verbal response. It was incredibly dark — I could barely see. Once the suspect began making verbal threats, I stopped using my flashlight in order to avoid giving away my position and potentially becoming a target, should he have been armed.

Then, I began to hear objects landing around us. At the time, I didn’t know what they were. I believed I was behind a tree to protect my head — but in the darkness, I may have been mistaken. The next thing I remember was an overwhelming pain in my head. I saw what looked like a green starburst, my body completely locked up, and I fell. I couldn’t move.

I didn’t know if I had been shot or what had happened. As I was being dragged out of the woods by my partners, I felt something running down my head — which, I later learned from video footage, was blood. I was loaded into the ambulance, but I noticed my left leg had stopped functioning from the knee down.

While being transported, I suffered a grand mal seizure. To my knowledge, it lasted approximately an hour, resulting in hypoxia (oxygen deprivation). That is the last thing I remember prior to waking up in the hospital.

⸻

My Diagnosed Injuries:

• Depressed Skull Fracture

• Cerebral Contusion

• Disc Protrusions in my cervical spine

• Intracranial Contusion

As a result, I was placed into a medically induced coma for several days.

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A Few Things I Want to Address:

1. The Incident Being Shown on TV

I know some people feel incidents like mine shouldn’t be aired on television. I respectfully disagree. Policing is complex — difficult to explain to those who haven’t lived it.

As deputies, we wear many hats. Every day on duty is different from the last, and you never know what the next call will bring. Sometimes, police work is terrifying, chaotic, and immediate, and things unfold in ways no one can prepare for. On that night, On Patrol: Live captured a moment that most people will never see — a raw, real, and violent side of policing that we hope never happens, but must always be ready for.

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2. Why One Officer Stayed With Me, and One Didn’t

Some people have questioned why both officers didn’t stay to administer aid. From an officer’s perspective, this was absolutely the correct call. The suspect was still at large and remained an active threat — not just to us, but to the public. One officer rendered aid while the other continued to address the threat. This is how we are trained, and this is how lives are saved — including mine.

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3. Am I Coming Back?

Yes. Unequivocally, yes.

This job has been my dream and passion since I was a kid. I remember watching The Fast and the Furious and deciding at 5 years old that I wanted to be a cop. There is no greater honor than waking up every day and putting on this uniform to serve my community.

Helping one person have a better day or making the community just a little bit safer — that gives my life meaning. I’m blessed and proud to call myself a Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy, and as long as God allows me to do this job, I will continue to do it with everything I have.

⸻

A Final Thought

This whole experience reminds me of a quote from Sons of Anarchy:

“There is an old saying: That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I don’t believe that. I think the things that try to kill you make you angry and sad. Strength comes from the good things: your family, your friends, the satisfaction of hard work. Those are the things that will keep you whole. Those are the things to hold onto when you are broken.”

To all of the incredible people, institutions, and moments that gave me something to hold onto when I was broken — thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Isaiah 54:17

No weapon formed against you shall prosper.

Messages from KCSO regarding Deputy Swanger’s recovery.

UPDATE 12 – July 3, 2025 | 4:20 pm

Deputy Swanger is HOME, and we couldn’t be happier! Thank you for all the prayers. To the medical staff at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, our wonderful community, and the OP Nation for everything done on Deputy Swanger’s behalf. We are incredibly grateful to you all!

Deputy Swanger will continue to rehabilitate at home and is looking forward to being strong enough to have visitors and getting back to work with his shift!

#SwangerStrong

UPDATE 11 – July 2, 2025 | 12:30 p.m.

We are grateful to report that Deputy Swanger has been moved to a room and is doing remarkably well. He will likely be going home in the near future. Deputy Swanger asked that we tell all of you who have prayed for him, those who have contributed to the approved fundraisers, and those who donated food/snacks for his shift, as well as the nurses and support staff, that he is eternally thankful for each one of you. He is blessed to be on the road to recovery and knows it is all because of the prayers.

Update 10 – June 30, 2025 | 2:50 pm

Deputy Swanger remains at UT in the ICU, but his condition is continuing to improve. As his recovery journey progresses, we will move our official updates to a once-a-week schedule, allowing Deputy Swanger and his family to focus on his health and rehabilitation while giving them as much privacy as possible. We know the prayers carried him to this point and will continue as he recovers. On behalf of everyone at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, we are forever grateful for the prayers, love, support, and monetary contributions on behalf of Deputy Swanger and his family.

Update 9 – June 28, 2025 | 8:00 pm

Deputy Dalton Swanger’s Recovery-

We are pleased to share the uplifting news that Deputy Dalton Swanger is awake and off the ventilator. He can speak and is doing well, though he faces a long road to recovery. The family and nursing staff request NO visitors to allow his medical team to work on his treatment and rehabilitation plan.

We are truly grateful for every prayer spoken on his behalf, the generous donations that will allow him to concentrate on healing, and the overwhelming love and well wishes from across the nation. Your support makes a difference in Deputy Swanger’s journey, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Please keep Deputy Swanger in your prayers as he works toward recovery. Your encouragement means the world to him and his family. Thank you for being a part of this strong, compassionate community.

#SwangerStrong

UPDATE 8- June 27, 2025 | 7:45 pm

Deputy Swanger remains in the Trauma ICU; he is critical but stable. We are happy to say he is improving each day. Words are inadequate to express our gratitude to everyone who is caring for him, those praying, and all of the acts of kindness shown.

UPDATE 7 – June 26, 2025 | 8:30 pm

Today has been a good day for Deputy Swanger. His nurses, doctors, therapist, girlfriend, and friends have been doing the heavy lifting while the community is praying fervently. We’re seeing progress, so keep those prayers coming. To everyone who has prayed, donated, and sent well wishes, “thank you” will never be enough! There’s a long road ahead, but with a support system like Deputy Swanger has, he won’t travel it alone.

UPDATE 6 – June 25, 2025 | 5:45 PM

Deputy Swanger remains in the Trauma ICU; his condition is critical but stable. Visitors have been further restricted as he needs to rest. On behalf of the family and everyone at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the prayers, support, and care shown since Saturday night have been heartwarming and incredibly humbling. Please continue to pray.

Approved Fundraisers:

– GoFundMe – Blue Line Tennessee

– Knoxville Tactical

– Knoxville Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union

UPDATE 5- June 24, 2025 | 5:45 pm

Deputy Swanger continues to improve, making minor yet significant improvements. This healing journey will take time, patience, and continued fervent prayer. Remember his family, blood and blue, and his girlfriend, who is incredibly strong for him. We can’t thank the community, our sister agencies, and all our first responder friends for your care, concern, and prayers. Dinner was provided this evening for Echo Shift and Deputy Swanger’s family by the Firehouse Subs Cedar Bluff location. Additionally, want to extend our gratitude to the OP: Live Crew, Hosts, and OP Nation fans. Y’all have been exceptional!

UPDATE 4- June 23, 2025 | 6:00 pm

Deputy Swanger remains in the Trauma Intensive Care and has moved all of his limbs this morning. This is an improvement. We are grateful for his progress and understand that with a head injury like the one he sustained, it will take time. Thank you for your continued prayers, positive thoughts, and encouragement. They mean so much to his family, friends, and blue family.

There is ONE approved GoFundMe established by Blue Line Tennessee Inc. If you suspect fraudulent fundraising efforts or would like to verify the validity of an organization or person raising money on Deputy Swanger’s behalf, please get in touch with Kimberly Glenn, Communications Director for KCSO, at [email protected] or Captain Aaron Yarnell at [email protected]

Back The Blue has coordinated a prayer vigil for tonight at 8 p.m. We will update you with additional information on Deputy Swanger’s progress as soon as possible.

UPDATE 3- June 22, 2025 | 10:55 pm

The condition of Deputy Swanger remains relatively the same. He continues to be in the Trauma ICU at this hour. With injuries of this nature, the recovery process requires time and patience. We at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office sincerely appreciate the overwhelming support from our community and neighboring areas and the countless prayers and well wishes for Deputy Swanger that have poured in from every corner of the country.

Please know that we will continue to share updates as we can. In the meantime, we encourage you to thank the officers and deputies you may know for their unwavering service, courage, and selfless sacrifice. This profession demands individuals of remarkable character—those willing to put the safety and well-being of others above their own. Deputy Swanger embodies such qualities, executing his duties with utmost professionalism and a faithful servant’s heart.

Thank you to the medical and support staff at UT Medical Center for your dedicated care of Dalton during this challenging time. Your expertise and compassion are greatly valued.

UPDATE 2- June 22, 2025 | 12:15 pm

The suspect, Christpher Michael Hensley, 44, of Powell, has been charged with the following –

-Attempted second-degree Murder

-Aggravated Assault on First Responder -Domestic Assault

-Possession of a firearm with intent to go armed

-Manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance

UPDATE- June 22, 2025 | 6:20 am

The suspect is in custody at this time. The Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation. The suspect’s identity and list of charges will be forthcoming.

Deputy Swanger remains in the Intensive Care Unit. We appreciate your prayers and are grateful for the support from our community. We will continue to update as more information becomes available.

June 22, 2025

-Knox County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Incident Involving Injured Deputy-

Knoxville, TN — The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an incident that occurred in the 7800 block of Stanley Road, where a complainant called 911 to report someone shooting just before 10:15 pm on June 21, 2025. When deputies arrived, there was an incident with the suspect, which resulted in injuries to Deputy Dalton Swanger.

During the incident, the suspect struck Deputy Swanger with a large rock or brick. Deputy Swanger was transported by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) for immediate medical attention. Upon arrival at the hospital, Deputy Swanger was confirmed to be in a critical condition.

The Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for the suspect involved in this incident. Efforts are underway to gather further details about the circumstances leading up to the injury, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Sheriff Tom Spangler stated, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Swanger and his family during this challenging time. We are committed to thoroughly investigating this matter and are utilizing all available resources to apprehend the individual responsible. I am at the hospital with Deputy Swanger and asking our community to do what they do best, pray!