NATCHEZ — A fallen soldier was memorialized Saturday with a roadway dedicated in his honor.

Steam Plant Road was designated as the Christopher Shaw Memorial Byway to remember and honor Shaw’s legacy.

A Natchez native, Shaw served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant first class and died Sept. 29, 2009, by an improvised explosive device on Jolo Island in the Philippines, where he was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom—Philippines. He was 37 years old when he was killed.

It was his second deployment with OEF-P.

Six years later, family and friends gathered at the corner of Foster Mound and Steam Plant Road to pay respect to the fallen hero with tears and praises.

Shaw’s wife, Attina Shaw, of Vicksburg, said they were married for nearly six years prior to Shaw’s death.

The program was one of mixed emotions for Attina and her five children, Darian Shaw, 17; Erielle Smith, 14; Jalyn Smith, 13; Dante Shaw, 12; and Cydney Shaw, 9, wasn’t far behind.

“I’m really honored, but yet tearful,” Attina said. “I’m just so happy that we are here celebrating what (Shaw) has accomplished.”

Darian said her most fond memory of her father was the words of advice he offered.

“I remember one specific time when (Shaw) told me, ‘Darian, you have to do your work because I’m not going to always be here to help you do it,’” she said. “That showed me that after he left, I still had to make sure that I kept all of my grades up and did my work. Being here today makes me proud to be his daughter.”

Darian is a senior at Warren Central High School. She plans on joining the military after she graduates high school to follow in her father’s footsteps.

“He was a sniper, and I’m actually in (reserve officer’s training corps), where I am the commander of my rifle team,” Darian said. “I plan on being better than my dad.”

Throughout the ceremony Saturday, several of Shaw’s closest friends and family spoke to commemorate who many in attendance considered a legend.

Anthony Mosby, a resident of Dallas, Ga., and lifelong friend of Shaw, struggled to hold back his emotions during the ceremony.

“There is no other honor that I could possibly think that’s higher than what (Shaw) is receiving right now,” Mosby said. “Just talking to Attina yesterday, he has a school in the Philippines named after him, his name is on several plaques throughout the United States, but personally, to have this honor right here in the town that he grew up in — there’s none better. Those people will know the name, but we know the man.”

The ceremony took place on the exact street Shaw spent most of his time training with Emmanuel Belton, a resident of Houston, while running track at North Natchez High School.

The Adams County Board of Supervisors adopted the resolution to designate Steam Plant Road to honor Shaw in March.

Board of Supervisors President Darryl Grennell introduced the idea to the board at the request of Clara Owens, the mother of two of Shaw’s siblings.

District 5 supervisor Calvin Butler was in attendance during the ceremony.

Shaw was born Nov. 19, 1971, in Natchez, the son of Camille Felton and Walter Owens.

He earned numerous awards and dedications throughout his military career.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.