Deputy Sheriff Jerry Newson, Jr., Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

Deputy Sheriff Jerry Newson, Jr.

Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

End of Watch Friday, September 22, 1995

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Jerry Newson, Jr.

Deputy Newson was shot and killed while assisting another deputy with an eviction notice. When the suspect answered the door he began to argue with the officers and then retreated into his house.

As the deputies returned to their patrol car to call for backup the suspect opened the door again and opened fire with a shotgun, striking Deputy Newson three times. The other deputy was shot and wounded by one of the shotgun blasts. Neither deputy was wearing a vest at the time.

The 35-year-old suspect was deemed incompetent and sent to a mental institution. In 2006 it was determined he was fit to stand trial. On November 28, 2006, the suspect was convicted of Deputy Newson's murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 2009 the Tennessee Court of Appeals awarded him a new trial, stating that during his first trial the court did not consider his sanity properly. He was released at some point after 2010.

Deputy Newson had been with the agency for7 years. He was survived by his son.

In September 2020, Summer Place was renamed Jerry Newsom Way, where the old Sheriff's Office building was.

Bio

Age 33
Tour 7 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Sentenced to life

eviction

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Nashville street renamed in honor of fallen deputy

Posted on Sep. 22, 2020 WTVF NEWS

A portion of a Nashville street has been renamed in honor of a deputy who was killed in the line of duty 25 years ago, WTVF reported.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT/WTVF) -A portion of a Nashville street has been renamed in honor of a deputy who was killed in the line of duty 25 years ago, WTVF reported.

According to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, a portion of Summer Place is now officially known as Jerry Newson Way.

WTVF reported Newson was attempting to serve an eviction notice on Briggs Avenue when he was shot and killed. Newson was 33-years-old.

“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.”

DCSO said Hall approached District 6 Council Member Brett Withers about renaming the street. The Metro Council passed an ordinance in July, granting the request.

WTVF reported, Newson was a Tennessee State University graduate and worked at the sheriff’s office for seven years.

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September 23, 2020