The Blount County Sheriff’s Office is cloaked in grief. A quiet Sunday afternoon patrol shift ended in tragedy, claiming the life of a young deputy who represented the best of their community. Deputy Justin Mowery, just 30 years old, was killed in a car crash while on duty, leaving a department and a Tennessee county heartbroken.
Sheriff James Lee Berrong made the somber announcement, his words heavy with loss. “I am heartbroken,” Berrong said. “This is devastating for his family, his shift-mates, this agency, and our community.” The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the exact circumstances of the crash. The Sheriff expressed thanks for their swift work and for the immediate flood of support from law enforcement agencies across the state.
Friends and colleagues remember Justin Mowery as a man who found his calling in service. Before putting on the deputy’s uniform, he worked to keep people safe as a security officer at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. His desire to serve his community more directly led him to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, where he joined in May 2020.
He wasn’t just going through the motions. Mowery was dedicated. He graduated from the BCSO Regional Training Academy in October 2020 and hit the streets on the evening patrol shift. He was the kind of officer you wanted as a partner—professional, reliable, and a true team player. His commitment was so clear that by December 2021, he earned a spot on the Sheriff’s elite SWAT team, a role he held with pride.
For those who worked beside him, Mowery was more than a badge. He was a devoted colleague and a solid, dependable presence. His decision to step into dangerous situations, whether on a routine patrol or a SWAT call, spoke volumes about his character. He embodied the promise to protect, a promise he upheld until his final moments.
In the face of this unimaginable loss, Sheriff Berrong has one simple, powerful request for the public: prayer. “Please pray for Deputy Mowery’s family, and pray for our deputies,” he urged. The department is now navigating the difficult days ahead, supporting a grieving family while also comforting deputies who lost a brother.
Deputy Justin Mowery’s patrol car may be silent, but his legacy is loud and clear. In his short career, he built a reputation for courage, dedication, and quiet professionalism. The community of Blount County has lost a faithful guardian, and his sacrifice will forever be etched into the heart of the place he chose to serve.
