Joseph Newell spent his life trying to protect his community. And now, his name will be seen by all the Metropolitan Police detectives who work in the same space that he once did.
A memorial to Newell was installed Friday at the new office of Washington, D.C.'s Sixth District detectives, the investigators Newell worked with for 24 years.
Newell was killed by his 27-year-old stepson, Antwan James, after a feud over yard work.
Friday's memorial brought smiles as well as sadness.
"He was not only a hero to most of us, he was a friend," said Assistant Chief Peter Newsham. "And every time I have had the chance to think about Joe, I have to tell you, I get a little sad."
James was charged with shooting his stepfather 18 times; he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
"I only wish God could open my heart for a second, just so people can peek in to see my pain, my hurt," said Bernadette Newell, Joe's widow and James' mother. "Unfortunately he can't. But anybody that is human should be able to know what a mother and a wife has gone through. And it hasn't been easy."
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Newell was not invited to Friday's dedication, which upset her. Other family members thanked the department for the memorial.
"I'm sure it was because of the circumstances with my son," Bernadette Newell said. She had testified for her son. "But I am his wife. I didn't pull the trigger. We were in love."
A police spokesperson acknowledged a "negative dynamic" between Newell's siblings and wife, but added that MPD had no animosity toward any family member.
