Blount County Sheriff's Office

08/31/2026

Here's a message worth repeating: Seat belts save lives!

From 2025-2026 in Tennessee, an unbuckled driver was 3 times more likely to die in a crash than a driver wearing their seat belt.

Buckling up every trip, every time is the easiest way to prevent injury or death in the event of a crash.

08/29/2026

Riding an ATV/UTV on county roads is legal in Tennessee, but not without the right precautions. Your vehicle must be road-legal with proper registration and title, and you must obey all traffic signs and signals, just like you would in a car or on a motorcycle.

For safety, wear a helmet for both off-road adventures and driving on pavement.

Never operate an ATV while impaired.

08/28/2026

It's important for drivers to pay attention in school zones even after active school hours. Slow down and keep a close eye out for vehicles making sudden stops or for kids crossing the street. Remember that children are unpredictable and may forget to look both ways before crossing the street.

08/27/2026

Sheriff James Lee Berrong is asking for your help in identifying a vehicle that was involved in the hit and run of a bicyclist on old Walland Highway Tuesday morning at around 9:20 a.m.

The victim, a 56 year-old woman, was taken to an area hospital for treatment and has since been released.

She reported to deputies that she was riding her bicycle on Old Walland Highway when she said she was struck by a vehicle near Melrose Station. She said the vehicle did not stop after hitting her. She described the vehicle as an older model silver or dark gray Nissan 350Z  or similar type of vehicle like the vehicle in this photo.  The victim said the vehicle had tinted windows and could possibly have had modifications to it such as a rear spoiler. It could also possibly have front end/right side damage. 

If you were traveling in that area yesterday morning around the time of the accident and have any information that may be useful to the Traffic Safety deputies working the accident, please call Blount County Communications non-emergency number at 865-983-3620.

08/27/2026

Our K9 Team of the Week is K9 Reko and Deputy Cory Phillips!

K9 Reko is a Belgian Malinois assigned to Patrol. He specializes in criminal apprehension/narcotic detection. K9 Reko joined the Sheriff's Office in March 2024, and was placed in the loving care of Deputy Phillips.

Deputy Phillips is a veteran K9 handler . He initially joined the Sheriff's Office in 2007 and was eventually assigned to the K9 unit. He left in 2015 to pursue another career goal and then returned to his original family at the Sheriff's Office in 2021 and soon re-earned a spot with the K9 teams. H was paired with K9 Kodi, but sadly, in January 2024, K9 Kodi died following a short illness at the age of 9. In March 2024, Reko joined the team, and the pair have been together since.

Fun fact about K9 Reko: He doesn't know what sleep is!! 🫩🫩

08/27/2026

Thursday, August 27
School buses are among the safest vehicles on the road. Students are actually more at risk of injury when getting on or off the bus than they are while aboard.

Slow down and leave extra following distance for school buses. Pay attention to the road, especially in residential areas during school commuting times.

Remind your child that the bus stop is not a place to run or play.

08/26/2026

Speeding is a critical safety issue for teen drivers. As their confidence behind the wheel increases, so does the temptation to test boundaries, especially when peers are present. Take the lead to address speeding with your teen driver and get involved in the learning-to-drive process.

08/25/2026

Sheriff James Lee Berrong and the deputies of the Blount County Sheriff's Office join our Sevier County neighbors and the rest of East Tennessee in mourning the passing of the legendary Queen of Country, Dolly Parton. She was a beloved lady, not only in Tennessee, but across the country. The world was a better place with her in it. 

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

Driver assistance technologies help to keep you and your passengers safe, as well as others on the road. Technology can help drivers of all ages and experience levels, but remember that it is never an excuse to speed or drive distracted.