Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Moats, may you rest in peace our brother. You will never be forgotten.

Sgt Richard Eckert
Town of Chester Police Dept

August 29, 2016

Most of us who serve on the Thin Blue Line believe that police work is more than a job, it is a calling. Kenny Moats certainly had the calling to be a police officer.
I find myself in a duality in the wake of Kenny’s death this week, both at a loss for words, and also overwhelmed with more words, memories, and emotions than I can express.
In a couple years span around the time Kenny hired into the Maryville Police Department, several of us young and inexperienced guys were hired. We were all similar in age and we forged a bond as we rallied and united around each other. We raised our families at home, and at work, we became family, we became brothers, doing what we all loved, protecting and serving the City of Maryville.
I can’t stop the memories from flashing in my mind of all the calls for service that Kenny and I went on together. There were slow nights when we would just sit side by side and talk about work and life, and then there were the nights when we were side by side fighting, fighting to protect each other, fighting to keep Maryville safe. I recall one such night when Kenny and I had to fight a home intruder to arrest him. When we arrived, he had violently attacked us. He was bigger than both Kenny and I, but we were motivated. We fought this man in the kitchen of a house. As we rolled in beer and blood on the floor we struggled to gain control of the offender. Had I been alone, I could not have won the fight, but when Officer Moats was working, you would never be alone. Kenny never backed away from an opportunity to stand against those who would do harm to our community. I admired him for this and I trusted him. I knew that I was not alone.
Beyond the calls for service, I remember my friend, just an overall good-hearted guy. To give you an example, I recall a time when a fellow officer going through a divorce had no place to stay. Kenny took this officer into his home for an extended time until the officer could get back on his feet.
I also remember Kenny’s smile. Nothing could keep Kenny down for long. As young officers, you face adversity of all types. I remember how no matter what kind of adversity Kenny was facing, he was always in a good mood, and he was always wearing that infectious smile.
We continually engaged in small pranks on each other. One time a couple of us wanted to decorate Kenny’s baby blue motorcycle with balloons. I remember going to Alcoa to purchase the balloons so as not to be seen by Kenny. I couldn’t hide what I was doing though, because this is Kenny’s community. Blount County is his home. Before I even left the store with the balloons, someone in the store had called Kenny on the phone to ask him why a uniformed policeman was buying balloons. Naturally, when he saw his motorcycle later, he knew who was involved. But this is Kenny. A man known across Blount County from Alcoa to Maryville, from Townsend to Friendsville. A man who made friends every and anywhere he went.
I read a post for Kenny on the Officer Down Memorial Page. The post said, “RIP Warrior.” It was from another officer in another state who never met Kenny. That said, the post was extremely accurate. Kenny was a great man, a great human being, and a true police officer at heart. He had the heart of a warrior.
To Kenny’s wife and kids, I want you to know and remember a few things about Kenny. Anyone who knew Kenny, knew you all because he talked about you profusely and he loved you all very much. He was so proud of his children.
Officer Kenny Moats did not shy away from bad guys or danger. He challenged them and faced them head on. Time and again I stood with Kenny and witnessed his courage in the face of danger and time and again I was left impressed. Kenny embodied the good of what it is to be a police officer and he was unwavering in his resolve to stand against those who would hurt others.
Kenny Moats was living his dream. He had a family that he adored and the job and job assignment that he had vigorously sought, serving on the drug task force for the City of Maryville Police Department.
I am so sorry to all of you for your loss. You have sacrificed so much for our community, and you have paid an enormous price. I hope you know that as much as Kenny was our brother, you are our family as well. The law enforcement community of Blount County is here for you, all you ever need do is call on us. We will be there for you the way Kenny was always there for us.
For those of us who knew him like this, we love you “Menny Koats.” I hope we can live up to the standard you set and make you proud as you have made us proud of you. We will carry on your work, we will take the fight to those who would stand against all that is good. You did your part Kenny. You protected our community with your life. We are indebted to you.
I am honored to call you my friend. I am honored to call you my brother. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for always having my back. Thank you, for being you.
Your watch is over brother. Rest in peace knowing that you impacted this world making it a better and safer place.

James Powers, Security Police Officer
US DOE

August 29, 2016

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

167th Basic Class West Virginia State
Police Academy

August 29, 2016

R I P brother in blue!!!

Lieutenant Ray Waters
Pitt County Sheriff Office, NC

August 28, 2016

RIP 156!!!! We love you and have to watch from here brother.

Ptl Dustin Stevenson
Alcoa PD. Alcoa, TN

August 28, 2016

I've been thinking a lot about the last conversation we had and would have given anything to know it was going to be our last. Rest easy brother.

Deputy Lance Anderson
Loudon County Sheriff's Office

August 28, 2016

Prayers are with Officer Moats family today. Maryville PD, Alcoa PD and the Blount County Sheriff's Office...words can't express your loss. Your loss is our loss in Memphis. "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell

Detective John Chevalier
Memphis Police Department

August 28, 2016

May you rest in the arms of our Lord and you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for your service.

Deputy Mary Duncan
Leflore County Ok Sheriffs Office

August 28, 2016

You are a hero, a son, father called home too soon with so much to live for. My heart breaks for your family, friends and the officer's you worked and knew. Rest easy for they will see your family is cared for. You tragic death is felt by law enforcement everywhere and you are now with all of our finest called home before. May God bless your family.

Mrs. Patrick Lawson
Knox County Sheriff's Office

August 28, 2016

Our hearts and prayers go out to Officer Moats family, the Maryville Police Department and to all of Blount County, they have lost a hero. May the Lord ease the pain during this time of loss.

Chief Investigator Joseph Jones
Graham County Sheriff's Office, Robbinsville NC

August 28, 2016

Rest in peace sir and may God keep your family in his loving arms

SSG Tom Stella
MA Army National Guard

August 28, 2016

Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Officer Moats, to the Maryville Police Department and to all of Blount County as they have lost a hero. May the Lord ease the pain during this time of loss.

Chief Investigator Joseph Jones
Graham County Sheriff's Office, Robbinsville NC

August 28, 2016

R.I.P. BROTHER Moats!!!

Nebraska Police Officer

August 28, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss

Survivor Jacqueline Rebel
Arizona Department of Public Safety

August 28, 2016

Another brother that gives the ultimate sacrifice. Don't give up hope. This is a thankful nation and you did make a difference. GOD has not forgotten the public servants that die in the line of duty nor the ones still giving their most to protect our citizens. GOD be with you and your family and friends during this difficult time.

Edwin O. de Jesus
US Army Military Police

August 28, 2016

God Speed, Brother.

Sgt. K. Murphy
Union PD, NJ

August 28, 2016

Rest in Peace My Good Brother !

Investigator Sylvester Wilson
Cook County Sheriff's Merit Board

August 28, 2016

We lost a great man, and heaven's streets are now filled with another angel. Rest in Peace

Mary Caldwell
Former classmate

August 28, 2016

We were working when we heard the worst possible news any law enforcement officer can here. We froze waiting to hear word. Our hearts broke for you, your wife, your children and your department. Your courage and dedication will not be forgotten. And I can only hope that we will continue to do the job with the passion the will bring your memory honor. Rest easy my brother we will take it from here.

Detective Jason Fillyaw
Monroe County Sheriff's Department TN

August 28, 2016

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them;
because they take refuge in him.
Psalm 37:39-40
Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. Paul Schanno- Honor Guard Member
Minnesota Dept. of Corrections MCF-Stillwater

August 28, 2016

God rest his soul. Rest In Peace.....

Civilian Sylvia Althaus
Civilian

August 27, 2016

RIP brother.

Po 103 Precinct
NYPD

August 27, 2016

Thank you Officer Moats for your service and ultimate sacrifice. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

Sabine Miller, Aurora, IL
Used to live in Maryville, TN

August 27, 2016

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF MARYVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, POLICE OFFICER KENNY MOATS I.D.#156.

My heart is filled with great sadness at learning of the lost of your loved one and fellow Officer.
We in the law enforcement community are a family, although our uniforms may be a different style and vary in color, a badge, shield or star may be pinned upon our chest.
Our areas of enforcement may vary but our goals are the same, to Serve and Protect our communities. We consist of many different agencies from across the nation, for we are: Municipal Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, State Police Investigators, State Highway Patrol Troopers, Conservation Police Officers, College Campus Police Officers, Correctional Officers and Federal Agents just to name a few.
We patrol small towns, large cities, college campuses, county roads, state highways, state prisons, county jails, state parks and the United States Borders.
Whether active duty or retired, we are one family, a Law Enforcement Family, the thin blue line of protectors, brothers and sisters bonded together by HONOR, SERVICE and PRIDE.
Daily we honor our fallen brothers and sisters never forgetting their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families.
Daily our position is clear that we will Serve and Protect our communities without faltering and with no hesitation.
Daily we show pride in our chosen profession LAW ENFORCEMENT, for we willingly walk the line of good over evil facing the unknown with courage keeping our trust and our faith in GOD.
We know that evil roam these streets and at any moment in the course of performing our duties the ultimate sacrifice might be required of us in the service to our community, for Law Enforcement is not a job but a calling and only a few will make the decision to commit to that calling to serve for some will give all that they have.
ALL LIVES MATTER - LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOULD BE RESPECTED - If we don't respond to that call for help. or investigate that suspicious subject, or stop for that stranded motorist, or rush to that call of shots fired then who will?
OFFICER MOATS
You did not die in vain.
You sacrificed your life in the service to the citizens of Maryville in the State of Tennessee with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION.
I'm proud to have worn the uniform of a law enforcement officer like you did.
I'm proud to have pinned the badge upon my chest like you did.
I'm proud to have Served and Protected my community as you did.
I'm proud to call you my BROTHER!
I commend you my fallen brother for making the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of your duty.
For you left us doing what you chose to do.
Performing a job you were trained to do.
Upholding the oath you swore to do.
Most importantly doing what you loved to do..........Serving and Protecting your community with Honor and Pride making a better and safer place for us all.
FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR IT, "LIFE HAS A FLAVOR THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW".
FINAL CALL
Officer Moats status.............Officer Moats status.............. Officer Moats status..............Attention All Units................ Maryville Police Department, Police Officer Kenny Moats I.D. #156 having served the citizens of Maryville in the State of Tennessee with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION is now 10-42.
Rest in Peace my fallen BROTHER, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!

Senior Master Investigator Cardell L. Dobbins #188 (Ret.)
Illinois Secretary of State Department of Police District 01, Region 01

August 27, 2016

I did not know officer Moats, but feel the pain his family and fellow officers are going through trying to come to terms over his senseless murder. I have nothing but respect to our men in blue. They put their lives on the line for us everyday. This is a sad day in our nation. Blue lives matter.

Chris Mayes

August 27, 2016