South Pittsburg, several law enforcement agencies mourn the loss of Marion County detective – WDEF

Matt Blansett was laid to relaxation in somber ceremony at his outdated highschool; a neighbor says his loss of life means “Everyone’s going to overlook a pal. A greatest pal.”

SOUTH PITTSBURG (WDEF) – A somber day in South Pittsburg because the city and several other companies mourned Matt Blansett, a detective for the Marion County Sheriff’s Workplace and a county commissioner.

Blansett was one among two regulation enforcement officers killed within the helicopter crash earlier within the week.

A number of officers from throughout the state got here to the native highschool to mourn with a group that beloved its native son.

One neighbor that lives throughout the road, Kirk Fuqua, remembers Blansett as a young person.

“I knew him when he was a scholar. I knew him when he graduated. He was on the ’99 state championship soccer staff. Graduated in ’99. I knew him as a superb particular person.”

The chief of the South Pittsburg Police Division informed me a 14-year-old Blansett would journey together with him 1 / 4 century in the past.

I spoke with a pair Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies and so they stated Blansett was their go-to man every time they wanted one thing in Marion County.

Fuqua says Blansett was valued, and echoed the one feeling South Pittsburg had this week.

“Shock. Everyone’s going to overlook a pal. A greatest pal. Household’s going to overlook a son and a brother. It’s going to be a very long time for this to be settled.”

Blansett leaves behind a spouse and two sons.

Blansett was solely 40 years outdated.