Officer 'who loved dies in Sevier County motorcycle crash

An off-duty Knoxville police officer died Monday when his motorcycle left a Sevier County road and struck a guardrail.Officer David Russel Munson, 27, of Dandridge died after the 6:45 p.m. crash, according to a report filed by Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Christopher Best. Munson was wearing a helmet.Munson was operating a 2011 Yamaha Z6R while traveling east on Douglas Dam Road when he approached a right-hand curve. Munson was unable to negotiate the curve and the bike ran off the left side of the road and struck a guardrail, according to Best’s report.The crash occurred near the intersection with Haggard Road near Sevierville. The speed limit on Douglas Dam Road is 45 mph.
Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk said Munson graduated from the Police Academy in December 2011. Munson was assigned as a patrol officer in the East district.DeBusk said Munson was married for five years. The couple had no children.Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch released this statement to fellow law enforcement officers:It is with a heavy heart that I bring the news that Officer David Munson was involved in a fatal single vehicle (motorcycle) collision on Monday evening around 1900 hours in Sevierville. I know each of you join me in thoughts and prayers for David’s wife, Christina, and his Mother, Father, and two brothers, as well as the rest of his family as they grieve over this loss.
David graduated from the Academy in December 2011. As many of us visited with the family this evening they all commented how much he loved the KPD. His wife said he always said his priorities were God, her, and the KPD. Christina said that they had been together for 10 years and had been married 5 years. They did not have any children, but do have a German shepherd named Callie that always missed David when he was working Night Shift. David’s father is a Chaplain with the Veterans Christian Fellowship and he was at peace as he told us that David was a strong Christian and knew Christ as his Savior.
There are many in the KPD family that have close connections to David. You may have been a classmate with him in 2011, a training officer that worked with him in the Academy, an FTO that taught him how to apply what he learned, a supervisor that had the privilege to be a leader to him, a non-sworn employee that helped him along the way, a squad mate who worked alongside him during the past two years, or a buddy who got to hang out with him. I want to hear all the great stories that you have about him. I want you to share those stories with each other. He will live on in our hearts and our minds and he will not be forgotten.
David asked to be buried in his uniform and for a full honor service in his bereavement packet. We will certainly honor his request. We will send out the arrangements as soon as we have them. He served the KPD and the Knoxville Community proudly and there will be a void without him here. He now serves as a Guardian on God’s force and we will see him again someday to rejoice with him.”
Knoxville Mayor Madeline Roger issued a statement this afternoon about Munson’s death.
I am very saddened to learn of Officer Munson’s death. I know he loved his job, and he provided great service to the Knoxville Police Department and the people of Knoxville. On behalf of his colleagues, Police Chief David Rausch, and all of us in the administration, I want to thank his family and loved ones for his service, and convey our sorrow at his loss,” the statement reads.