Holly MatkinScott County, TN – Scott County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) School Resource Officer (SRO) Deputy April Duncan died unexpectedly at her home on Jan. 31, according to her department.
Scott County Sheriff Ronnie Phillips announced the 34-year-old deputy’s death in a Facebook post the following day.
“My heart, along with, our sheriff’s office family, all of Scott Countains and most importantly the family of SRO Deputy April Duncan, is truly broken today,” Sheriff Phillips wrote.
He said Deputy Duncan died at her residence following a 911 call being placed from her home.
Her exact cause of death was not released.
Deputy Duncan graduated from Oneida High School in 2005 and went on to serve with the Tennessee Department of Corrections 10 years later, according to Sheriff Phillips.
She joined the SCSO’s corrections division in April of 2019, and was a “tremendous servant” during her career, he noted.
“Deputy Duncan excelled and served with distinction,” the sheriff continued.
She was promoted to the rank of corrections sergeant in 2020 and accepted a transfer to the SRO division the following year.
“She was accepted and loved by the students, teachers and staff within the school system,” Sheriff Phillips said.
Deputy Duncan graduated from the Walters State Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy on Dec. 3, 2021.
She was also the recipient of the Charles E. Baskette Memorial Award for Courage and Determination, according to Sheriff Phillips.
“She was beloved by her classmates and praised by her instructors,” he wrote. “Deputy Duncan leaves behind a big and wonderful family, full of love and memories, as well as, a work family that loved and appreciated her friendship, leadership and service, in addition to, a community that will grieve, mourn and remember her with a spirit of service and a hunger to help anyone as the committed public servant she was.”
Deputy Duncan leaves behind her husband, Tommy, and her children, Caden, Kadence, and Karley, according to her obituary.
She is also survived by her mother, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and friends.
Deputy Duncan was laid to rest Feb. 8.
Please remember Deputy April Duncan, her family, and classmates from class 122 at the East Tennessee Regional Law Enforcement Academy. We had the pleasure of being one of April's Instructor's and feel honored to have met her. #TNTogether #TSPN #BlueLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/NKMbBRDJNd
— Sevier County CARES (@SCountyCARES) February 3, 2022
Memorials sit outside the Scott County Sheriff’s Office reflecting the community’s love and respect for Deputy April Duncan.
The mother, 33 y/o served protecting children at Scott High as a SRO.
The TBI is investigating her death.
Turn to WVLT News @ 6 for more. pic.twitter.com/lggOHc3jYx
— Gwendolyn Ducre (@GwendolynGabs) February 1, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Scott County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Deputy April Duncan, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
