Arnold Engineering Development Center, Tennessee Firefighter Killed in Off-Duty Wreck

HILLSBORO, TN -- Jeffery A. "Jeff" Polidan, 35, of Hillsboro, a member of the AEDC Fire Department, died Friday morning in a one-vehicle accident on Old Hillsboro Highway outside Manchester, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

He also was owner of J.P. Landscaping & Lawn Care and was a volunteer diver for both the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and the Franklin County Rescue Squad.

Polidan was driving a 1972 Jeep Wrangler southbound on Old Hillsboro Highway, and was reportedly only about one mile from his home on Love Lane when the accident occurred just after 10 a.m.

According to THP Trooper J.T. Sears' report, Polidan's Jeep went off the edge of the southbound lane and rolled apparently after Polidan overcorrected the steering.

The victim, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene, according to the THP report.

A native and former resident of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he was the son of Jerry (Pat) Polidan of Michigan and Judy Harcourt (David) Rice, Orlando, Fla.

He was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters and attended First Baptist Church in Tullahoma.

Survivors in addition to his parents are his wife, Sue Henry Polidan, Hillsboro; two sons, Justin Polidan, Orlando, Fla., and Robert Anthony Polidan, Hillsboro; two daughters, Amanda Marie Polidan and Alissa Rene Polidan, both of Hillsboro; three brothers, James (Jennifer) Polidan and Ben (Vanessa) Polidan, both of Michigan, and Michael (Dawn) Rice, Florida, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family will be from 2 to 5 p.m. today, Feb. 6, at Tullahoma Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at First Baptist Church in Tullahoma with Dr. Herb Hester and the Rev. Bob Perry officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the 911 Firefighters.