KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The widow of a Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputy killed in the line of duty is suing the wife of the man who fired the fatal shot, alleging negligence led to her husband’s death.

Deputy Tucker Blakely was killed in an ambush shooting in October 2023 while responding to a domestic-related emergency call at a home in West Knox County. He was 29.

According to the lawsuit, Blakely was shot by Matthew Rose, whose body cam shows was hiding in a closet before jumping out and opening fire on responding deputies.

Now, Blakely’s widow, Katarina Blakely, is accusing Rose’s wife, Angela Rose, and Progressive Insurance of negligence.

“She had circumstances that were solely within her control that led to her husband getting the firearm and also operating the same to the demise of Tucker Blakely,” said Blakely’s attorney, T. Scott Jones.

The lawsuit claims Angela Rose knew about her husband’s fragile mental state, past issues and access to firearms inside the home. The suit further alleges that the night Blakely was shot, Rose threatened his wife with a gun.

“He…held a gun to her and threatened her life and then left for an extended period of time,” Jones said. “She chose not to take her children and flee the home, not to take steps to avail herself of law enforcement protection, but to effectively make a phone call and, for all intents and purposes, create what amounted to a trap situation for the fine officers of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.”

Court orders issued in Michigan allegedly prohibited Matthew Rose from being around his children, handling firearms or staying the night inside the West Knox County home, according to the lawsuit. Katarina Blakely claims Angela Rose allowed those conditions to be violated.

The lawsuit also names Progressive Insurance, arguing that homeowner’s insurance is meant to cover negligent acts that occur on a property.

“They don’t have to insure for intentional acts, but if you, as the insured, create a negligent situation, then they are to step up and do something about it.” Jones said.

Blakely’s legal team said the lawsuit seeks accountability and financial compensation.

“Well, it’s been devastating for her, and then it has been sort of amplified by the fact that we’re dealing with an insurance company that just fails to step up and take responsibility,” Jones said.

WBIR reached out to Angela Rose’s attorney, Elijah Settlemyre, for comment, but he did not provide a statement.