By Donna Thornton/News Editor
Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin recalled Aubrey Phil Newman as a “true hero” while speaking to members of the Etowah County Commission on Tuesday (April 8) at a commission work session.
Newman died on April 5 at the age of 69. He served as an investigator in the sheriff’s department for 11 years, Entrekin said, during the time Entrekin worked in investigation and as chief deputy.
Prior to working for the county, Newman worked with the Rainbow City Police Department.
In the summer of 1994, Newman was working with other Etowah officers on a marijuana erradication mission when he suffered a heart attack. The heart attack and further complications left Newman unable to return to his career in law enforcement.
“He had a heart attack in the line of duty,” Entrekin said. “He was a true hero for the county.”
In addition to his service to the county, Newman served his country. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Korean War. He later served in the Air National Guard.
Newman is survived by his wife Darla, daughter April Lee Newman, son Christopher Phil Newman, his brothers Alan (Bell) Newman, Nathan (Sonya) Newman, Grafton (Gwinnell) Newman, his sisters Monetha (Tom) Jarvis, Willie Bishop, Carolyn (Billy) Gann, Jenny Haswell (Leonard) Thompson and several nieces and ne-phews.
Funeral service for Newman was April 9 at Village Chapel Funeral Home, with burial in Crestwood Cemetery.