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Background: Footage from “On Patrol: Live” showing the aftermath of Deputy Dalton Swanger’s alleged assault (Peacock via WBIR). Inset: Deputy Dalton Swanger (Knox County Sheriff’s Office).
A Tennessee sheriff’s deputy who was being documented as part of a live broadcast was allegedly assaulted by the man authorities were seeking.
Deputy Dalton Swanger of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, whose age has not been disclosed, was featured in the Saturday episode of “On Patrol: Live,” co-hosted by Law&Crime founder Dan Abrams. During the live broadcast, Swanger and his fellow deputies were responding to reports of gunfire in a Knoxville neighborhood in Tennessee. Believing they had located the suspect, 44-year-old Christopher Hensley, in nearby woods, the deputies announced their presence. Hensley, in turn, began throwing rocks while audibly swearing at them.
While cameras rolled, Swanger entered the wooded area and soon fell to the ground.
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A Facebook update from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Swanger was struck by a rock or brick thrown by Hensley. Deputy Matthew Kirchner was also injured in the arm. The incident’s aftermath was captured on “On Patrol: Live,” showing Swanger being assisted out of the woods by fellow deputies before getting back on his feet.
Police said that Swanger’s condition deteriorated after the cameras were turned off and he was unresponsive when he was taken to the hospital, where he was said to be in critical condition. In an update posted on Monday, the sheriff’s office said Swanger was still in intensive care, but “moved all his limbs.” On Tuesday, he was still making “minor yet significant improvements.”
A GoFundMe page was set up by Blue Line Tennessee to help cover the financial burden felt by other members of his family while they stay by his side during his recovery.
Tom Rizzo, another “On Patrol: Live” co-host, posted a statement on Facebook in support of Swanger, and described what happened when the cameras were off, saying, “The entire studio went silent as we watched what happened next. His mates dragging him to safety to render aid… as Dalton tried to regain his feet, says, ‘I’m going to be heavy.’ F— that, we got you, Dalton.”
Hensley was arrested hours after the “On Patrol: Live” broadcast ended. He was charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault on a first responder, possession of a firearm with intent to go armed, and manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance. He appeared in court on Tuesday, when his bond was set at $2,025,000.
Hensley’s next court date is scheduled for Aug. 20.
