MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Maryville Police Officer Justin Brown, who sustained severe injuries while part of a security detail for Vice President JD Vance, is showing promising signs of recovery. According to Police Chief Tony Crisp, Officer Brown is currently alert, communicative, and maintaining a positive outlook.
In a recent update, Chief Crisp expressed optimism about Brown’s gradual improvements, noting that his medical team is working diligently to determine the next steps in his rehabilitation journey. “The community’s concern for Officer Brown is palpable, and we are heartened by his daily progress. He remains in critical but stable condition, yet his spirits are high,” Crisp reported.
One eyewitness described the accident that led to Brown’s injuries as “hard to watch,” underscoring the severity of the incident. Despite this, the officer’s resilience is evident as he continues to make strides towards recovery.
Maryville Police Officer FTO Justin Brown (Maryville Police Department)
Further emphasizing the support from higher authorities, Chief Crisp mentioned his conversation with Vice President Vance on Sunday. Vance, who has been in regular contact since the incident, expressed a strong desire to personally speak with Officer Brown when his health permits.
Since the crash, 6 News has spoken with individuals who witnessed the crash involving Brown’s motorcycle and a Tennessee Highway Patrol SUV. On Tuesday, 6 News’ reporter Ella Wales spoke with Dan Varaday who performed CPR on Brown after the crash.
Varaday explained he had spent the day talking with a friend about how God directs people to be in the right place at the right time before he and his daughter went into town to do some shopping and got caught in traffic because of the motorcade.
“It was just crazy that it all happened that same day. I pulled back up to watch the motorcade and for some reason or another pulled out my phone and I was recording, but I was in the right place at the right time. God’s good grace,” Varaday said.
Varaday and others saw the crash happen. He said as soon as Brown hit the ground, he and others were there to help and begin doing what they could. As a former Boy Scout, Varaday began CPR.
“Thank goodness I didn’t panic,” Varaday said.” I just jumped right in there and I don’t know what else to say about it. I was there and I tried to do the right thing.”
A woman, who Varaday said is named Stephanie, held Brown’s neck and head, and was praying. Varaday added that there were also others there helping as well. Crisp previously shared that the aid those individuals provided played a critical role in saving Brown’s life before he was taken to UT Medical Center.
Varaday, who is receiving rehab following a rotator cuff surgery, added that he hopes he gets to see Brown again.
“I really hope that I I get to see him. Whenever is appropriate and however that works out. I’m sure it’ll be fine, but I really look forward to seeing seeing that young man smile again,” he said.
While Crisp is encouraging continued prayers and offers of assistance and support for Brown and his family, Varaday also asked the community to pray for the state trooper who was involved in the crash.
In addition to the update that Crisp provided on Brown’s condition, he also shared that there have been requests to give financial support to Brown and his family. Only one fundraiser has been approved by the Maryville Police Department, which is coordinated through Blue Line Tennessee. Any official fundraising efforts on behalf of Brown or his family will go directly through the organization, the department explained.
