Family remembers Officer Kenny Moats eight years after his death

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Eight years have passed since Maryville Police Officer Kenny Moats was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a private 911 call.

Every year on August 25, family and friends hold a memorial motorcycle ride to honor Moats' life.

“He would want us to continue to be happy. He's in a better place up there now, probably doing the same things he did down here,” said Moats' son, Kamron Moats.

Many things have changed for the Moats family over the past eight years, especially after Kamron joined the Maryville Police Department.

Previous reporting: Son of deceased Maryville police officer follows in his footsteps at police station

He is determined to be his own officer and not follow in his father's footsteps, but he still thinks of his father every time he puts on the uniform.

“Every morning. Every morning as soon as I walk into the office,” Moats said.

This family also has a new way to remember Moats, in the form of five-month-old Koast Ray Moats, who shares the same middle name as the fallen officer.

The name Koast Moats was deliberately chosen so that he, Kamron and Kenny all have the initials “KM”.

“It brought peace and happiness and that's what we needed,” said Moats' mother, Lisa Burns.

Burns said her family is now focused on processing the past while paying respects to Moats.

Moats said he spent a few moments at his father's grave on the anniversary of his death and exchanged a few words with him.

The Moats family, along with others, will participate in a car show on Saturday, September 28, to benefit the family of late Blount County Deputy Greg McCowan.

It will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Pellissippi State Blount County Campus.

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