Knox County sheriff’s deputy Dalton Swanger is back home for the 4th of July after spending almost two weeks in the University of Tennessee Medical Center following an attack that left him in critical condition.
Swanger left the hospital July 3, after 12 days there, finally arriving home after being hit in the head with a rock during a June 21 incident, according to a Facebook post from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Swanger was moved out of the ICU and into his own room in the hospital July 2. He thanked everyone who had supported him along his road to recovery.
The following day, the KSO announced Swanger had returned home and would continue his rehabilitation in the comfort of his own home. He hopes to return to work soon.
“Deputy Swanger is HOME, and we couldn’t be happier! Thank you for all the prayers. To the medical staff at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, our wonderful community, and the OP Nation for everything done on Deputy Swanger’s behalf. We are incredibly grateful to you all,” according to the Facebook post.
“Deputy Swanger will continue to rehabilitate at home and is looking forward to being strong enough to have visitors and getting back to work with his shift!”
What happened the night Deputy Swanger was injured?
Christopher Hensley, 44, of Powell, is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder after being accused of throwing the rock that put Swanger in the intensive care unit.
The sheriff’s office was called to the 7800 block of Stanley Road shortly before 10:15 p.m. June 21 on a complaint about someone firing guns when they encountered Hensley, who was shouting and cursing at them.
Hensley was in a wooded area behind the lot where deputies were conducting their investigation when Hensley started throwing rocks at deputies, causing minor injuries to one deputy and striking Swanger in the head, according to online court documents.
When police administered a search warrant on Hensley’s property, they say they found 106 marijuana plants indoors and 39 plants growing outside.
Hensley was arrested June 21. A judge placed a $2 million bond on Hensley following the incident. His preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 22.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County sheriff’s deputy Dalton Swanger home from the hospital