CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 9, 2024 – The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is sending specially trained law enforcement chaplains to Blount County, Tennessee, where a deputy was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop in Maryville on Thursday night. The Blount County Sheriff’s Office says 43-year-old Deputy Greg McCowan was rushed to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. A second officer was also injured in the shooting. Maryville is located about 20 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee.
“Law enforcement officers in Blount County have suffered a tragic loss. Our hearts are heavy to hear about this shooting in Maryville, Tennessee,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “We are sending our crisis-trained chaplains to comfort, listen and pray with those grieving this horrific tragedy.”
BG-RRT chaplains are now providing emotional and spiritual support in three locations:
- Blount County, Tennessee (officer shooting)
- Acapulco, Mexico (hurricane)
- Ukraine (conflict)
Media Opportunities
- Interviews with:
- Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT
- Chaplain coordinator in Blount County, Tennessee
- B-Roll and photos (please use with credit to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
- Interview request form
About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team:
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has since grown into an international network of chaplains in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia who are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed to more than 760 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes. For more information on the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, including videos, photos, news articles and interactive map of former and current deployments, visit www.billygraham.org/rrt. Updates can also be found at www.facebook.com/RRTchaplains.
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Media Contact:
Christine Batchelder
cbatchelder@bgea.org