Maryville community remembers officer Kenny Moats 8 years after death

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Fallen Maryville Police officer Kenny Moats was honored in his annual memorial ride in Blount County on Sunday.

Moats died in the line of duty eight years ago, on August 25, 2016.

Moats’ family, along with the loved ones of Knox County’s Tucker Blakely , and Blount County’s Greg McCowan led the procession of vehicles as people from across East Tennessee attended.

“Our law enforcement officers, they deal with so much and whatever we can do to support them as a community, we need to continue to do that,” said one of Moats’ former coworkers at Maryville PD, Shaina Kirkland.

Hundreds of participants gathered at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson to show their support.

“Community support has just been outrageous. Every year that we’ve done it really shows why this East Tennessee community supports the law enforcement,” said event volunteer Nathan Way. “And then just a great part of the country that we actually live in.”

Since Moats’ death, they have held the event every year, to honor him, his family, and other first responders who put their life on the line.

“It’s for the fallen officers. I knew Kenny growing up. He was a good guy. I knew his family. Just it’s just kind of a good get together, you know, for the community. And just to get everybody involved and see what happens, you know, have a good day out of it,” said a Maryville resident, Michael Kennedy.

Kennedy, like many of the people attending, knew Moats.

“Kenny was such a wonderful guy, an amazing coworker. He was always he was always there for you. You always had your back and It’s just an amazing thing that I do for him and his honor,” said Kirkland.

While the day is supposed to be a celebration, they day it is an emotional day.

“It’s a very it’s kind of an emotional thing, you know, especially for the families. I but it’s for Kenny with all his friends and family to be together, you know? So we’re just out here celebrating Kenny,” said Kennedy.

“His family means the world to me and whatever we can do to continue to support him, that’s what we’re going to do,” said Kirkland.

Escorts from across East Tennessee also volunteered including Maryville Police, Knox And Blount County Sheriffs Office.

“So it’s really just a way for the community to put their arms around the families and show them that we still remember them and we support them,” sad Way.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.