‘Lived as a hero, died as a hero’ | Knox Co. deputy dies after responding to domestic call
A Knox County deputy was shot and killed, according to officials.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -Knox County Deputy Tucker Blakely, 29, died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center after being shot in the line of duty, Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler announced Monday night.
Blakely was 29 years old. He was injured while responding to a domestic call with fellow deputies in West Knox County in the Solway area. “Officer Blakely is a hero. He lived as a hero, he died as a hero,” Spangler said. “Keep Tucker’s family in your thoughts.”
Previous Coverage: ‘A hero’ | Who was fallen Knox County Deputy Tucker Blakely?
Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said that deputies responded to a domestic call in the 3200 block of Denver Lane around 11:15 p.m. on Sunday.
Preliminary information said that Knox County dispatch got a call about a domestic situation at the home. Deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded, finding an armed man at the house.
“For reasons still under investigation, the situation escalated and shots were fired by both the individual and at least one of the deputies,” officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said. “The male subject was struck and pronounced deceased at the scene. One of the officers was also struck by gunfire and was transported to an area hospital with very serious injuries.”
The man was later identified as Matthew Logan Rose.
The TBI will be leading the investigation into the shooting, at the request of District Attorney General Charme Allen.
Blakely was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center with other deputies escorting the ambulance. Kimberly Glenn with KCSO said at the time “our deputy is fighting for his life.”
Blakely was pronounced dead Monday night. Deputies escorted his body to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Sheriff Tom Spangler asked for prayers for the injured deputy Monday morning. East Tennessee leaders lent support in statements and social media posts.
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