The Blount County Sheriff’s Office was just one of many first responders who turned out in force today (Saturday May 2, 2020) to pay their respects to the family and friends of Lucas Hembree who died Thursday after a long battle with a terminal illness.

Several deputies lined up along East Broadway to await the miles’ long funeral escort as it made its way to Lucas’ final resting place. First responders from Blount, Knox, Anderson, and other counties, as well as numerous wreckers from Blount and surrounding areas joined the procession as a tribute to Lucas who grew up around emergency services and loved law enforcement and firefighters.

In March, Lucas received more than 14,000 birthday cards from around the country and world for his 13th birthday. Lucas battled Sanfilippo Syndrome, a rare disease, from the age of 3.