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Records: Union Co. deputy found dead in wreck had applied to be Knox Co. patrolman

The TBI said first responders found Matthew Kirrman just after midnight dead inside his cruiser in Maynardville.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — UPDATE OCT. 13: The Union County deputy found dead in his wrecked cruiser early Sunday had applied to work at the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

Matthew Kirrman had previously worked several years as a corrections officer for the Knox County Sheriff's Office, personnel records show. Last year he switched to Union County to be a deputy.

Records show in late September he applied to return to work in Knox County as a patrolman. His application was pending when he died, records show.

Kirrman consistently received good marks in evaluations while with the KCSO.

He would have turned 28 this month.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into the circumstances that led to Kirrman's death. It's not clear if he died because of the crash or if there was another reason.

The Regional Forensic Center in Knoxville was conducting an autopsy.

"Our investigation remains active and ongoing at this time," TBI spokeswoman Susan Niland said Thursday.

PREVIOUS STORY: State agents are investigating after an East Tennessee deputy was found dead inside his cruiser following reports of a crash early Sunday morning.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Union County Sheriff's Office received a report of a crash at the intersection of Possum Valley Road and Ailor Gap Road in Maynardville just after midnight Sunday.

According to the TBI, first responders arrived to find the deputy dead inside his patrol vehicle.

Eight Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler asked the TBI to investigate the circumstances leading up to the deputy's death.

The deputy has not been identified. His body has been sent for an autopsy, and the TBI said the investigation is ongoing. 

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