Ax Wielding Husband Attacks a Cop, Gets Shot Down QUICK in Tennessee

The Blount County deputy who shot and killed a Greenback man after he threatened the officer with an ax has been cleared and will return to his duties next week, according to the sheriff's office. Deputy Jarred Pekala has been on administrative leave with pay since the incident on Sept. 30.


"After reviewing the findings of the TBI and the BCSO investigation, the Blount County District Attorney General’s Office ruled the deputy’s actions were justifiable based on the circumstances, and that the deputy’s actions were in compliance with Tennessee state law," a release from the sheriff's office said.



The sheriff's office said Deputy Pekala was called to the home on Emert Williams Road after a family member called dispatch and said Brian Lee Rogers, the man who was killed, was "acting erratically". Deputy Pekala's in-car video showed that as he pulled up to the home, Rogers retrieved an ax and advanced toward his patrol car.



Deputy Pekala put his patrol car in reverse and backed up approximately 320 feet until he had created enough of a distance between him and Rogers.



"When he stopped, he stepped out of his patrol vehicle and issued several verbal warnings to Rogers to drop the weapon, but Rogers did not comply and continued to charge toward him with the ax," the report said.



Rogers allegedly approached Pekala in an aggressive manner so Pekala fired his service weapon and at Rogers multiple times. According to the sheriff's office, other deputies arrived and took care of Rogers until AMR medical personnel could arrive. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.



“More often than not, law enforcement officers must make split second decisions when they are confronted with an individual who is armed,” Blount County Sheriff James Berrong said. “Many citizens do not realize the dangers and complexities of police work. In Blount County, we are blessed with great community support, but across the country, criticism of law enforcement officers is on the increase. Our deputies faithfully continue to uphold their oaths and protect our citizens, despite knowing they will be second-guessed in traditional and social media. They are also aware they are a target because of the uniform they wear. I stand by my deputies.”