Community supports family of fallen officer

Published 9:26 pm Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Support continues to pour in for the family of Jemison Police Officer Josh Newman, who died in a car wreck over the weekend while on duty.

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said local residents have brought gifts by city hall, emails offering condolences have been received from as far away as Canada, and Jemison Elementary School students wrote hundreds of letters to Newman’s family.

“I’ve got people coming by the office and leaving stuff, leaving gifts, leaving cards, and I’m getting everything together every evening and taking it to the family,” Fulmer said.

In order to give some direction to those wanting to help, the city of Jemison set up the “Officer Josh Newman Memorial Fund” at BB&T bank branches.

Fulmer also encouraged people to visit the Officer Down Memorial Page at odmp.org and write on Newman’s memorial book.

Contact the Jemison Municipal Complex at 688-4492 or BB&T at 688-4186.

Newman’s funeral will be Thursday, March 10 at 2 p.m. at Jemison Municipal Complex at 14 Padgett Lane. Burial will follow at New Hope Community Cemetery on County Road 42 East in Jemison. Food and refreshments will follow the services back at the municipal complex.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 9, starting at 5 p.m. at the Jemison Municipal Complex. Ellison-Mims Funeral Home of Clanton will direct the services.

Fulmer said many people and churches have contacted the department about bringing by food. He said the best time to do that would be for the gathering following Newman’s funeral and burial Thursday. Contact Councilwoman Faye King to help with food at 688-2059 or 287-1786.