Nov 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 11

AROUND THE COUNTRY
KNOXVILLE, TN.
Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Tucker Blakely was
shot and killed while responding to a domestic call.
KNOXVILLE, TN. (WATE) —
More information about the night
that Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy
Tucker Blakely was shot has
been revealed.
Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler
announced on Oct. 3 that
Blakely, 29, had died after he was
shot while responding to a domestic
call in the Hardin Valley
area around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
While speaking at Blakely’s Celebration
of Life, Spangler shared
more details of what happened
that night.
Blakely and a fellow officer
were clearing a house looking
for a man who had reportedly
been in an argument with his
spouse all day and evening. The
complaint came from a neighbor,
according to Spangler.
While searching for the man,
Blakely was struck by gunfire
and “immediately incapacitated”
said Spangler. The other officer
exchanged gunfire with the
man, who was killed. He has
been identified as Matthew Logan
Rose, 30. The officer attempted
aid to Blakely before he was taken
to UT Medical Center, where
he later succumbed to his injuries.
“Tucker’s final service was
his wish to be an organ donor.
Today, people that we may never
know are alive because of Tucker,”
said Spangler.
Several non-profits have raised
money and payed off the mortgage
for Deputy Blakely’s family.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
is investigating the
circumstances that led to the
shooting.
“Throughout the process,
investigative findings will be
shared with the District Attorney
General for her review and consideration.
The TBI acts solely as
fact-finders in its cases and does
DEPUTY TUCKER BLAKELY
not determine whether the actions
of an officer were justified
in these types of matters; that
decision rests with the District
Attorney General requesting TBI’s
involvement,” reads a release
from the TBI.
24 The BLUES