NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Thursday, people gathered at the Tennessee Bicentennial Mall Amphitheater in Nashville to remember police officers who died in the line of duty. The service began at 9 a.m., sponsored by the Tennessee State Lodge of Fraternal Order of Police.
The family of Tucker Blakely, a Knox County Sheriff's Office deputy who was fatally shot while responding to a domestic call, attended the service. Several other deputies from the sheriff's office joined them, traveling to Nashville to honor Blakely as his name was unveiled on the memorial.
His family said he had dreams of being a K-9 handler and was chosen as a candidate for the sheriff's office's course to become one. His K-9 partner was placed with him around two days before he was shot in early October 2023.
The 29-year-old fallen deputy was survived by his wife and his young son. In the days following his death, there was an outpouring of grief across the Knox County community. People lined a procession route as officers from agencies across East Tennessee and Blakely's family drove to the church where his celebration of life was scheduled.
Blakely was shot by Matthew Logan Rose on the night of Oct. 1, 2023, as he responded to a call about a domestic situation. Rose had previously been charged with domestic violence and was also fatally shot by deputies as they returned fire.
At Thursday's memorial service, law enforcement officers and Blakely's family honored him and other officers who died in the line of duty across Tennessee. Blakely's name is also expected to be unveiled in Washington D.C. on May 15, KCSO said on social media.