Newson family member, Debra Hensley helps Sheriff Daron Hall unveil the new sign.
Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall, retired sheriff Gayle Ray, and District 6 Council Member Brett Withers joined the family of Deputy Jerry Newson, Jr. Tuesday in a ceremony memorializing the fallen officer. Twenty-five years to the date, Newson, 33, was attempting to serve an eviction notice on Briggs Avenue when he was shot and killed at approximately 7:40 am.
Jerry Newsom, Jr.
“For years, Summer Place sat in the shadow of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office warrant division and training academy. This building was demolished a couple years ago to make way for the sheriff’s office new headquarters,” Hall said. “It was extremely important to keep Jerry’s memory alive and we felt there was no better way to do that than rename the street in his honor. Forevermore, our headquarters will be located at One Jerry Newson Way.”
Hall approached Withers months ago and asked for assistance in renaming the street. After months of commission and committee approvals, the Metro Council passed an ordinance in July granting the request. Withers says he was immediately interested in pursuing the opportunity to rename this portion of Summer Place.
“Not only does this street renaming commemorate a dedicated public service professional but it also creates a sense of place adjacent to the new Davidson County Sheriff’s Office headquarters and training facility. Further, it humanizes a key entrance to East Nashville that had previously been perceived as a cut-through for cars,” Withers said. “Now, those who access Jerry Newson Way will be invited to think about the people who serve our county at this facility and to honor the legacy of a beloved coworker and community member.”
Newson, a Tennessee State University graduate, worked at the DCSO for seven years and began his service as a correctional officer. Employees of the sheriff’s office who worked with him will always remember him as ‘The Rock.’ Family members from Nashville, Memphis, Clarksville, Alabama, Texas, and Indiana attended the service as did sheriff’s office retirees who worked in the warrant division at the time of Newson’s death.
MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT.
