Sheriff’s deputy beaten into critical condition on live television show by suspect he was seeking

A Tennessee sheriff’s deputy was beaten badly on a livestreamed cop-themed television show by the same suspect he was trying to track down, according to a report.

“On Patrol: Live” captured the harrowing moment on Saturday when Knox County sheriff’s deputy Dalton Swanger was knocked into critical condition by suspect Christopher Hensley in a wooded area in a residential Knoxville neighborhood, Law and Crime reported.

Officers were responding to calls of a shooting in the neighborhood, seeking Hensley, 44, who drew cops to the dark wooded area behind a home.

“Sheriff’s office!” several deputies yell into the woods, to which a voice from the darkness replied with challenging expletives.

Deputy Swanger then went into the thicket to presumably confront the suspect, who deputies believed to be armed, with his own gun drawn.

Video showed Swanger then fall down on his side, limp, as the 44-year-old suspect allegedly struck the cop in the face with a brick or a rock. 

“The entire studio went silent as we watched what happened next. His mates dragging him to safety to render aid… as Dalton tried to regain his feet, says, ‘I’m going to be heavy,’” “On Patrol: Live” co-host Tom Rizzo said in a statement posted to Facebook.

Swanger’s girlfriend told local news station WBIR that she was watching when the grievous assault occurred. 

Fellow deputies dragged Swanger’s limp body out of the woods by his arms. The tough Tennessean attempted to brush off the injury, but soon took a turn for the worse when cameras turned off.

Swanger, whose age is not known, was unresponsive when brought to Tennessee Medical Center where in remains in the intensive care unit, Law and Crime reported.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office announced that Swanger, though not out of the woods, has made small strides in his recovery and is able to move all four of his limbs, the report stated.

Hensley was arrested after the end of the broadcast and has been charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault on a first responder, possession of a firearm with intent to go armed, and manufacturing/delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance, the outlet reported.

A GoFundMe for Swanger has raised over $65,000.