Holly MatkinGrand Prairie, TX – Grand Prairie Police Department (GPPD) Officer Joshua Jefferson died in a motor vehicle crash on May 20, according to the Grand Prairie Police Association.
Additional details regarding the fatal off-duty collision were not provided.
The 37-year-old officer earned a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Texas at San Antonio before he began his law enforcement career with the Arlington Police Department in 2007, according to his obituary.
In 2016, Officer Jefferson began working for the GPPD.
He served as a field training officer, Honor Guard member and was a member of the Grand Prairie Police Association (GPPA) board.
Officer Jefferson was also active in many community-based events.
“He served the citizens with pride and had a great love for the city and communities that he worked for,” his obituary read.
Officer Jefferson was known for wearing his signature cowboy hat and boots as he “served the citizens with pride and great love,” the GPPA said in a Facebook post on May 21.
“Josh never met a stranger. One of his sayings was ‘let’s make it happen,’” the association noted. “While patrolling the community he would always approach a call, situation or observation with a determination to make things better.”
Officer Jefferson leaves behind his wife, Amber, and his daughter, Adrianna, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his mother and many aunts, uncles, extended family members and friends.
Officer Jefferson was laid to rest on Wednesday.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Grand Prairie Police Department Officer Joshua Jefferson, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.