All of Tennessee Mourns the Deaths of Two Law Enforcement Officers

August 25, 2022

Several communities and law enforcement agencies are mourning the deaths of two men who dedicated their lives to serving the public.

Sergeant Lee Russell of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Marion County Sheriff’s Office Deputy and Marion County Commissioner Matt Blansett were both killed when the helicopter they were in clipped a power line in Marion County Tuesday afternoon.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reported that the helicopter clipped a power line and crashed in a remote area of Marion County.

Residents and emergency personnel gathered on overpasses in Manchester on Wednesday afternoon to honor Deputy Blansett as his body was being transferred back to Marion County after an autopsy in Nashville.

Top Photo: Police lead hearse carrying the body of Marion County Deputy Matt Blansett traveled through Coffee County on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Barry West

Lucky Knott

One of Southern Tennessee's most experienced and recognized news broadcasters and play-by-play sportscasters. News and Sports Director for Rooster 101.5 FM, 93.9 The Duck and Whiskey Country 105.1, and 95.9. He is currently the play-by-play voice of the Coffee County Red Raiders (31 years) on The Rooster 101.5 and can be heard M-F broadcasting our local news. Lucky has done play-by-play for 3,993 (and counting) sports events on Radio & TV. He also served four years as the Public Information Officer for the Coffee Co. Sheriff's Dept. and taught Radio/TV for six years at Grundy County High School.