SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — UPDATE (June 2, 2021): The Sevier County community is mourning after a Gatlinburg police officer who has served the department since November 2015 lost his daughter and father-in-law in a deadly fire at his home on Saturday.
Sevier County officials said Officer Robert Frederick was injured and remains in the Vanderbilt Burn Center after trying to save the two from the house fire.
"We ask that you please keep Officer Fredrick, his family, the Gatlinburg Police Department and their members, and the first responders in your thoughts and prayers," SPD said in a post that has since been removed from Facebook.
Perrin Anderson, the Assistant Mayor for Governmental Affairs in Sevier County, said that Frederick's wife was also taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She was treated and released.
His 18-year-old daughter, Shauna Frederick, and his 74-year-old father-in-law, Edmond Davis, died in the fire, according to officials.
Officials with the City of Gatlinburg said Shauna was a recent graduate of Gatlinburg-Pittman High School.
On Tuesday, officials said that Frederick was reunited with his wife, son and other family members at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with Officer Frederick and his family during this tragic time,” Gatlinburg Police Chief Randy Brackins said. “Officer Frederick is an integral part of our City family and we are continuing to ask for prayers, support and privacy for him and his family.”
Officials are continuing to investigate the fire.
The fire happened on King Branch Road off of the Spur. Neighbors in the area said after the fire started, they heard several explosions and smoke blanketed the area.
City officials confirmed Monday that Frederick was injured in the fire. He was taken first to UT Medical Center then to Vanderbilt University in Nashville for treatment.
The City of Gatlinburg also established a benefit fund for his family through SmartBank. Anyone who wants to donate can give them at any SmartBank branch in Sevier County, according to officials.
"Officer Frederick, who has been with the Gatlinburg Police Department since November 2015, is an integral part of our City family and we ask for prayers and support for him and his family during this difficult time," said Seth Butler in a statement to 10News.
According to community members, the family had been living in the house for more than four years.
The Sevier County Sheriff's Office is the lead agency on the investigation with the assistance of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.