Maryville police and the rest of the country are mourning the death of a MPD officer. Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp says Officer Kenny Moats, 32, died at University of Tennessee Medical Center after being shot in the neck during a domestic call on Alcoa Trail. The shooting happened around 4 p.m.
The suspect, Brian Keith Stalans, 44, was taken into custody and is being held for investigation. Charges are expected to be filed Friday.
Officer Moats has been with the City of Maryville Police Department since February 2007 and in June of 2010 was assigned to traffic as a motor officer. In May of 2016, he was assigned to the Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force as a drug enforcement agent.
He was a 2002 graduate of Heritage High School in Maryville. Officer Moats graduated from Walters State Police Academy in December of 2005. According to Chief Crisp, his career with the City was stellar. Officer Moats received many commendations from citizens about the work he did while with the City of Maryville Police Department, even recognized as a Readers’ Choice Police Officer by the Readers of the Daily Times in 2011.
Since January, Officer Moats has served as President of the Fraternal Order of Police - Bud Allison Memorial Lodge #9. Chief Crisp said, “We are humbled by the outpouring of love and support from the community and beyond. We will forever be grateful for the care our community has shown the family of Officer Moats and the law enforcement community. We know this tragedy will bring our community closer together and that will be a lasting legacy of Officer Moats. We just ask that our community continue to pray for the family of Officer Moats and for the men and women in uniform as we go through this trying time.”
Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp says Officer Kenny Moats, 32, died at University of Tennessee Medical Center after being shot in the neck during a domestic call on Alcoa Trail. The shooting happened around 4 p.m.
A memorial and prayer service will be held tonight at East Maryville Baptist Church in honor of the fallen officer. It wil be held Friday from 5:00-7:00pm. Donations for the officer's family will be accepted. The officer was married with three children. His name has not been released.
The suspect Brian Stalans has been arrested and is behind bars.
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A police officer has died following a shooting in Blount County. Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp said the officer responded with a sheriff's deputy to a domestic disturbance off Alcoa Trail Road.
Sheriff James Berrong says when the two arrived Thursday afternoon, a man came out firing and fatally wounded the officer. Crisp said the other officer returned fire. He says the suspect wasn't hit and was taken into custody.
Crisp didn't identify the officer, saying some family hadn't yet been notified. He said the man had three small children and had been with the department for several years.
