KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was injured “in a serious traffic incident” in July will undergo surgery to amputate his foot, which was not healing despite surgery and months of extensive rehabilitation.

A KCSO spokesperson shared on Wednesday that Deputy Matt Kirchner made the "gut-wrenching" decision to amputate his foot, which had not healed as he hoped despite his relentless determination and months of hard work. The decision came after discussions with his surgeon and family, the spokesperson said.

"This is not the news any man who has devoted his entire adult life to protecting and serving others wants to hear—but it is medically necessary to give him the best possible quality of life moving forward," the KCSO spokesperson wrote.

The surgery is

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