Joseph E. Newsome

• Captain
• Chesterfield Fire & Emergency Medical Services
• Virginia
• Age: 42
• Year of Death: 2007

Joseph E. Newsome was born on March 14, 1965, and was the youngest of five children. He began his career in the fire service with the City of Petersburg, Virginia, Fire Department in 1984, where he gained a lot of firefighting experience as a firefighter and a sergeant. In 1989, Joe became a member of the Chesterfield Fire and EMS Department in Chesterfield County, Virginia. He graduated from Recruit School #19. Joe worked in many of the fire and EMS stations throughout the county and was named the department’s Firefighter of the Year in 1992. He was known for his sense of humor and his willingness to say what was on his mind.

He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and later to the rank of captain. Joe was a member of the department’s technical rescue team and enjoyed being assigned to Station 3 which had an engine, truck, medic, and technical rescue unit. This station was very busy, and Joe was able to mentor many young firefighters on the wide variety of incidents that they responded to. Joe received the department’s Medal of Valor for his efforts to rescue a young woman who was trapped during rapidly rising flood waters in August 2004 during Tropical Storm Gaston. Joe later requested an assignment into the department’s emergency medical services division, serving as the deputy director of EMS. He became well-known throughout the region during his tenure, serving on numerous committees and workgroups.

Joe was a dedicated husband of 18 years to Laurie. His sons, Robbie and Tommy, benefited from his guidance, wisdom, and love. Joe served as their athletic coach and a leader in their scout troop and was very proud of both of them. Joe also served as a deacon in his church and served on mission trips to Central America.

He had just been named as the acting director of emergency medical services when he died in the line of duty while performing his physical training program on April 23, 2007. Laurie, Robbie, and Tommy, as well as all of the members of Chesterfield Fire and EMS, suffered a tremendous loss on that day, and Joe’s memory and legacy will live on in the organization.