KNOXVILLE, TN – A Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy, Dalton Swanger, was severely injured while responding to a call during the live broadcast of On Patrol: Live on Saturday.
The incident unfolded as part of the show, which is co-hosted by Law&Crime founder Dan Abrams. Swanger and his fellow deputies were responding to reports of a shooting in a neighborhood in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The deputies believed they had located the suspect, 44-year-old Christopher Hensley, in a nearby wooded area. As the deputies approached, Hensley began throwing rocks and shouting obscenities at them. While On Patrol: Live cameras rolled, Swanger entered the woods to confront Hensley.
The Assault and Injury
The situation quickly escalated when Hensley allegedly struck Deputy Swanger with a rock or brick. The assault caused Swanger to fall to the ground, and Deputy Matthew Kirchner was also hit in the arm during the altercation.
The incident, which occurred live on air, was captured by the broadcast cameras, showing Swanger being dragged from the woods by his colleagues.
However, things took a dire turn once the cameras stopped rolling. Swanger’s condition worsened, and he became unresponsive. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was later described as being in critical condition.
Swanger’s Condition and Support
A Facebook post from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office provided an update, stating that Swanger’s condition had slightly improved, as he had regained movement in his limbs. By Tuesday, he was making “minor yet significant improvements.”
The sheriff’s office also set up a GoFundMe page through Blue Line Tennessee to help support Swanger’s family as they stay by his side during his recovery.
In an emotional update, On Patrol: Live co-host Tom Rizzo shared details of the harrowing moment when cameras were turned off. Rizzo described how Swanger, after being helped to his feet, said, “I’m going to be heavy.” Rizzo responded, “F— that, we got you, Dalton.”
Suspect Arrested and Charged
After the broadcast ended, authorities managed to arrest Christopher Hensley. He was charged with multiple serious offenses, including attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault on a first responder, possession of a firearm with intent to go armed, and drug-related charges. Hensley’s bond was set at $2,025,000.
Hensley’s next court date is scheduled for August 20.
