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Incident
Detective Matt Blansett and Sergeant Lee Russell of the Tennessee Highway Patrol were killed in a helicopter crash on Aetna Mountain in Marion County at about 4:00 pm.
The Bell 206 helicopter struck high-tension power lines and crashed into a wooded area near mile marker 163 adjacent to I-24 and SR-134.
Detective Blansett served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department for 20 years nd also served as a Marion County Commissioner.
Detective Blansett served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department for 20 years nd also served as a Marion County Commissioner.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Blansett gave the Marion County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Jasper community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Blansett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Marion County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Matthew is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 4 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 2022, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2022, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Matthew was 40. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. Matthew had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Matthew was 40. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Matthew had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Matthew had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 7.3% of these deaths in TN; September holds the most, 11.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Marion County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Marion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
