Knox County Sheriff’s Office released information on services to be held for Tucker Blakely. They are on Friday, Oct. 6, at Clear Springs Baptist Church.
Doors will open at 10 a.m. for visitation, and officers will conduct a “Sea of Blue” at 11:15 a.m. for the arrival of Blakely’s family.
A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. at the church at 7350 Tazewell Pike in Corryton.
Those traveling in the area of Emory Road and Tazewell Pike in Corryton, including Powell High School, should expect traffic congestion and delays due to the procession,” KCSO said.
There are other ways people can help and show support.
Blakely’s family has set up an education fund for his 5 year old son that people can donate to in lieu of flowers at the Knoxville Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union at 501 East Summit Hill Drive in Knoxville.
People wishing to donate to the Tucker Blakely Memorial Fund can send a check to the credit union.
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Following the death of Deputy Tucker Blakely, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office said they are “processing what is sure to be the most difficult of our days.”
Blakely, a 29-year-old who graduated Knox County Regional Training Academy in 2021, was shot while responding to a domestic situation at a West Knox County home Sunday night.
The deputy responded to the home alongside his colleagues around 11:15 p.m. after receiving a call from “a family in need,” according to KCSO.
“They did what they do each and every day, answer the call,” KCSO said.
30-year-old Matthew Rose began firing at the deputies for reasons that remain unknown. Deputies fired back and killed Rose.
Deputy Blakely was shot during the exchange of gunfire and was rushed by AMR to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he later died as a result of his wounds.
Tucker Blakely leaves behind his wife, Katarina, and a 5-year-old son. His brother is Maynardville Mayor Ty Blakely.
The fallen deputy had dreams of being a K9 handler and was recently selected as a candidate for KCSO’s K9 Handlers course. Blakely’s K9 partner was placed with him only two days before he was shot.
“It is unfortunate that Officer Blakely will never be able to live out that dream,” KCSO said. “The life of a servant taken far too soon.”
Blakely also served in the United States Army and was an organ donor.
“We are better for having known Tucker. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office will remain faithful in honoring his memory,” KCSO said.
The sheriff’s office remains in the very early stages of answering a lot of questions and is fully cooperating with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. However, their focus remains on caring for the Blakely family and the KCSO family in the coming days.
“We are completely heartbroken,” KCSO said. “Our officers and their families need your support now more than ever.”
The details and arrangements to honor Blakely will be announced in the upcoming days. On Tuesday, a long line of officers helped escort his body to a Powell funeral home along I-40 and I-75.
“Officer Tucker was one of our uniformed police officers we had on site during our Sunday services and mid-week youth services. He was always so great to talk with and work with. Tucker had the perfect blend of professional care and personal care making our church feel protected and friendly at the same time. He is a true hero who was always made people feel better. Tucker and I had several conversations about faith and God and the need to be ready leaving me to believe he was a man of faith. Our church community is heartbroken for him and his family and we are here to help and serve in everyday possible.”
(WBIR)
