Dalton Swanger Video and Critical Head Injury Incident

A routine call for assistance turned into a near-fatal encounter for Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Dalton Swanger on the evening of June 21, 2025. While responding to a report of gunfire in a wooded area, Swanger was struck in the head with a blunt object, leaving him critically injured. The shocking incident was captured on the television show On Patrol: Live, giving the public a rare, unfiltered look into the dangers law enforcement officers face while performing their duties.

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Background on the Call

The distress call that brought Deputy Swanger and two fellow officers to a remote area in Knox County, Tennessee, came from a woman who believed her life was in danger. According to a statement released by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the woman alleged that her “crazy ex” was stalking her and had fired shots from the woods behind her residence. The deputies responded to the scene in accordance with standard protocol for a potentially armed and dangerous suspect.

Swanger and the other officers arrived at the rural property under the assumption that they were dealing with a domestic disturbance possibly involving a firearm. The woman’s emotional state and the reported discharge of a weapon from the nearby forest prompted the officers to treat the situation with high alert.

Deputy Swanger’s Initial Response and Video

Video footage from On Patrol: Live, which had been filming with the sheriff’s department as part of their regular rotation, shows Swanger arriving at the scene, removing a rifle from his vehicle, and coordinating with two other deputies. The officers moved swiftly but cautiously toward the residence, where the complainant was waiting.


The woman reiterated her concerns, claiming that her ex-partner had been harassing her for weeks and that she had heard gunshots just moments before she placed the call to emergency services. Her belief that he was hiding in the woods near her property was alarming enough for the officers to mount an immediate search of the area.

Search of the Woods and Escalation

With the complainant’s testimony in hand, the three deputies began to sweep the forested area. As shown in the television footage, they loudly announced their presence and attempted to make verbal contact with the suspect. Their calls were met not with silence, but with a volley of shouted obscenities coming from deep within the woods.

The man, still unseen at this point, reportedly taunted the deputies and made references to possessing a firearm. The tension heightened as the verbal threats and profanities became more aggressive. The officers, maintaining their tactical positions, continued forward into the trees.

The Assault and Its Aftermath

What happened next was both sudden and horrifying. As the deputies made their way through the wooded terrain, the camera captured Swanger falling to the ground. Confused and visibly hurt, he was heard groaning before stating, “I got knocked out… he hit me with something hard.” Blood was visible on Swanger’s head, and he appeared dazed.

Fellow deputies rushed to his side, assessing the severity of the injury while maintaining situational awareness for any additional attacks. The suspect had struck Swanger with a blunt object possibly a heavy branch or metal pipe causing a traumatic head injury.

Despite telling his colleagues that he was “fine,” Swanger was clearly disoriented. The footage shows deputies helping him walk back to safety, although he struggled to maintain balance. Moments later, Swanger’s condition deteriorated further, and emergency medical services were called to the scene.

Medical Condition and Critical Status

Deputy Swanger was transported to a local hospital, where he was immediately placed under critical care. The blunt force trauma to his head resulted in extensive bleeding and swelling, requiring emergency intervention. Though he had initially downplayed the severity of his injury, medical evaluations confirmed the incident posed a significant threat to his life.

The Sheriff’s Office released a public statement shortly after the attack, confirming that Swanger was in critical but stable condition. He was placed in the intensive care unit for close monitoring, and his long-term prognosis remains uncertain pending further neurological assessment.

Ongoing Police Operation

Following the attack, the remaining deputies, joined by reinforcements and a K-9 unit, resumed the manhunt for the suspect. The aggressive nature of the assault, along with the earlier reports of gunfire and threats, escalated the situation into a high-priority tactical response.

Officers cordoned off the area and expanded the search perimeter. The use of thermal imaging and aerial drones was considered, and residents in the vicinity were asked to shelter in place. Authorities described the suspect as highly dangerous and potentially armed.

Arrest and Charges

The following day, June 22, the suspect was apprehended without further incident. Law enforcement officials have not yet released his name publicly, pending formal charges and court proceedings. However, they confirmed he was the ex-partner of the woman who made the original call and had a documented history of domestic violence and firearm possession.

The charges filed against the suspect are numerous and severe:

Attempted second-degree murder for the violent attack on Deputy Swanger.

Aggravated assault on a first responder, reflecting the enhanced penalties for assaults against law enforcement.

Domestic assault, in connection to the initial complaint.

Unlawful possession of a firearm, due to prior convictions.

Drug offenses, after substances were found on his person during the arrest.

He is currently being held without bond as prosecutors prepare for what is expected to be a high-profile trial.

Public Reaction and Impact

The graphic and sudden nature of the assault, coupled with its being aired live to viewers across the nation, generated an outpouring of support for Deputy Swanger and his family. Messages of solidarity came from across Tennessee and beyond, as law enforcement officers, civic leaders, and ordinary citizens expressed outrage over the attack.

Sheriff Tom Spangler issued a public statement condemning the violence: “Deputy Swanger is a courageous officer who was doing his job protecting our community. This was an unprovoked and despicable attack. We are grateful for the quick actions of his fellow deputies and remain hopeful for his recovery.”

Local officials also called for increased funding for officer training, safety equipment, and mental health support to help law enforcement personnel prepare for unpredictable encounters.

Role of ‘On Patrol: Live’

One of the unique aspects of this incident is its documentation on On Patrol: Live, a television program that embeds camera crews with real-time police units. The footage aired during the episode gave viewers a rare, visceral insight into the unpredictable and often perilous work of law enforcement officers.

Many viewers praised the show for its transparency, while others debated the ethics of broadcasting such intense and graphic content. Regardless of opinion, there is little doubt that the program helped raise awareness of the risks officers face and the urgent need for robust training and safety protocols.

Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings

As Deputy Swanger continues to recover in hospital, the legal case against his attacker is moving forward. Prosecutors are reportedly considering elevating the charges depending on Swanger’s long-term medical prognosis. If found guilty on all charges, the suspect could face decades in prison.

The Sheriff’s Office is also conducting an internal review of the incident to assess tactical decisions made during the search and to identify any improvements that could prevent similar outcomes in the future.

The June 21 assault on Deputy Dalton Swanger serves as a grim reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face every day. What began as a response to a domestic complaint quickly escalated into a life-threatening situation one that was broadcast live for millions to witness.

Thanks to the swift response of his fellow deputies and the transparency of On Patrol: Live, the incident has not only shed light on the realities of police work but has also galvanized public support for first responders.

As Swanger fights to recover, his story stands as both a cautionary tale and a call to action for better protections, resources, and respect for those who put their lives on the line to keep communities safe.

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