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Tennessee police officer shot, killed; suspect in custody

MARYVILLE (WATE) – A Maryville police officer was shot and killed Thursday afternoon near Alcoa. The suspect is in custody.

Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp and Blount County Sheriff James Berrong held a joint news conference at UT Medical Center. They said it started just before 4 p.m. with a domestic call about a suspect with a gun. Two narcotics officers, one a Blount County deputy and one a Maryville officer, both with the 5th Judicial District Drug Task Force, were nearby and responded to the scene.

When the officers arrived, the suspect exited the Alcoa Trail home firing. The Maryville officer was hit. He returned fire, but Crisp said he did not hit the suspect. The officer was rushed to UT Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect complied with officers following the shooting and was taken into custody. No names have been released. Crisp says they are still working to contact some of his family members.

“We ask our citizens to remember this officer’s family. He has three small children. It’s a very trying time for his family. It’s a trying time for the men and women of the Maryville Police Department. It’s a trying time for the law enforcement in this community,” said Crisp, holding back tears.

Sheriff’s offices in Loudon and Anderson counties say some of their deputies are in Blount County and Maryville helping patrol. Numerous officers from multiple jurisdictions gathered at UT Medical Center as a show of support.