A graveside memorial service in honor of former Jemison Police Officer Josh Newman will be held March 3 at 2 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church in Jemison.

Newman died in a car accident while responding to another car accident at the beginning of his shift the night of March 5, 2011.

He was 30 years old and had been with the Jemison Police Department since 2008.

“Josh was just an amazing young man and an amazing son,” said Ginger Autrey, Newman’s mother. “He died doing what he loved to do. He was precious.”

Autrey said everyone is welcome to attend the service, and her family would greatly appreciate any memories shared about Newman.

“He loved to talk about the Lord to people,” Autrey said. “He was very religious and loved to share that.”

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said not a day goes by that he and his colleagues don’t think about Newman or mention his name at least once.

“Obviously, last year was a tough year for us,” Fulmer said. “Our concerns and our hearts still go out to the family. I know it’s going to be tough on them, too.”

Fulmer joined Autrey in extending an invitation to all local law enforcement and residents to attend Newman’s memorial service.

Newman served in the United States Air Force and the Military Police for six years, after which he completed the police academy.

“We want to thank the Chilton County residents for their outpouring of love and respect for Josh,” Autrey said. “We also want to give Chief Shane Fulmer a special thank you for giving Josh his chance to live his dream.

“We lost him in the line of duty,” she said. “But I know Josh—that would have been the way he wanted to go.”

New Hope Baptist Church is located at 16433 County Road 42 in Jemison.