NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville officials are mourning the loss of Public Defender Ross Alderman.

Video: Public Defender Killed In Motorcycle Crash

Alderman was killed Saturday when a car struck his motorcycle.

State troopers said Alderman was riding his motorcycle along Old Hillsboro Road near Leipers Fork when a 16-year-old driver in a car swerved into his lane and struck him.

Alderman died at the scene.

Alderman served as a public defender since 1999 and had worked in that office for more than 20 years.

Those who knew him recall a man who spent his life trying to ensure everyone got a fair hearing.

Alderman didn't avoid complicated cases or shy away from controversy. In 1996, Alderman defended a child rapist and even convinced a judge to let the man leave jail to spend Christmas at home with his wife.

"It makes sense to allow him to have some contact with his wife, and to stay interacted in his family and feel like he's being treated as a human being," said Alderman of that case.

Alderman became Nashville's top public defender, and he never lost his passion for helping the common-man.

Rob McGuire, Nashville Assistant District Attorney, went toe-to-toe with Alderman and said he was a skilled and dedicated lawyer.

"He was a great lawyer and advocate for people who need an advocate -- primarily the poor -- people disadvantaged, who'd had a hard time in life," McGuire said. "He was always prepared, a person who did the best job he could on behalf of his client."

Although the two had often been adversaries, McGuire had positive memories of Alderman.

"He was a lawyer who could've done a lot of things with his career and he chose to serve the public and try to help people who were less fortunate than himself," said McGuire.

In a written statement, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said Alderman was a close friend and said his death is a huge loss for the city of Nashville.

Dean called Alderman a "talented and highly ethical lawyer with superior judgment."

Dean went on to say that Alderman's commitment to the public defender's office over the past few decades has been essential to its development and success.

Visitation will be held Monday at Belmont United Methodist Church from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and again Tuesday from 2 to 3 p.m. The church is located at 2007 Acklen Avenue in the Hillsboro Village area of Nashville.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. at BUMC on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all contributions be made to the Ross Alderman Indigent Defense Foundation, Trustee Bill Hubbard, 201 4th Avenue North, Suite 1420, Nashville, TN 37219