Retired firefighter, fallen first responders from East TN honored with ‘Tennessee Three Stars Award’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A retired firefighter and three fallen first responders from East Tennessee were honored on Tuesday during the “Three Stars of Tennessee Award” ceremony.

The award is given to or in honor of first responders who died or suffered career-ending injuries in the line of duty. This year, eight first responders were honored.

Knoxville Fire Department shared a photo of retired Captain Christopher Patterson, who was one of the individuals honored with a Tennessee Three Stars Award on Tuesday, alongside Governor Bill Lee and others at the awards ceremony. KFD explained that Patterson sustained severe injuries while rescuing a woman trapped in a fire in December 2022. In December 2023, KFD shared a social media post stating that Patterson was retiring from the fire department.

Two fallen East Tennessee law enforcement officers, 29-year-old Knox County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Tucker Blakely and Blount County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Greg McCowan , and a fallen paramedic, Morristown Hamblen Emergency Medical Service Paramedic Todd E Giles, were also honored with the Tennessee Three Stars Award.

Deputy Blakely was fatally shot while responding to a domestic call in the Hardin Valley area in October 2023. Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler explained that during that call , Blakely and another officer were clearing a house looking for a man who had reportedly been in an argument with his spose all day and evening. As they searched, Blakely was struck by gunfire, and the other officer exchanged gunfire with the man, who was killed. In January 2024, the shooting that left the man, identified as Matthew Rose , dead was ruled a “justifiable homicide” by the Knox County District Attorney.

Deputy McCowan was fatally shot while assisting another officer during a traffic stop on Sevierville Road on February 8, 2024. During that call, Deputy Shelby Eggers was also shot in the left and returned fire. Seven months after the shooting, McCowan’s children spoke with 6 News , sharing that a charitable foundation had been set up to honor their father’s life and legacy.

The man accused of shooting both McCowan and Eggers, Kenneth DeHart , fled the scene and was apprehended after nearly five days on the run. DeHart is facing numerous charges, including first-degree murder, and his trial is set to be scheduled for December 2024.

Morristown Hamblen Emergency Medical Service Paramedic Todd E Giles served as a paramedic in Hamblen County for more than 30 years before he died on April 5, 2024 after collapsed while responding to a call with his partner and an AEMT.

In addition to the four responders from East Tennessee who were honored, four others from other parts of Tennessee were honored:

• Macon County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant William Cherry
• Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Detective Donovan Coble
• Memphis Police Department Officer Joseph Russell “Rusty” McKinney
• Memphis Police Department Officer Jewell L. Suggs

“As we grieve with the loved ones of today’s “Three Stars of Tennessee Award” recipients, we honor their sacrifice because we know the safety and security we enjoy is only possible because of the first responders who serve and protect communities across Tennessee,” said Commissioner Long.

The “Three Star’s of Tennessee Award” was created in 2014 by the Tennessee General Assembly.

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