You can help the fallen officer's family get a van for son with special needs

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — There is an effort underway to raise money for a new van for the family of fallen police Officer Chase Maddox.

Maddox was killed Friday when a man opened fire on him and two Henry County sheriff's deputies while trying to serve a warrant.

Channel 2's Lauren Pozen has kept in close contact with a family friend who said Maddox's wife is now in need of a handicapped-accessible van for their son who has an array of disabilities and must use a wheelchair.

[READ: Law enforcement community shows respect for fallen officer outside funeral home]

A handicapped-accessible van costs more than you would think.

“The van (is) about $40,000 to $42,000. That is without the special equipment. That is another $10,000 to $12,000,” Sherrie Rochelle with Toyota of McDonough told Pozen.

For families who have a child with special needs, they say having that type of vehicle can make all the difference.

To help better explain why, Pozen met up with Marcie, who asked us not to release her last name, and her sons Nick, Ray and Ray's service dog, Rocco.

[READ: Sheriff explains what happened in shooting that killed a Locust Grove officer]

“Ray suffered from a traumatic brain injury and he has epilepsy,” Marcie said.

For now, Ray is in a wheelchair. The family has a standard van to drive him to his appointments.,

“My husband is a police officer as well, and most of the time I am by myself with the boys. Ray is 5 but he weighs like an 8-year-old and his equipment is big and getting heavier,” Marcie said.

She said without a wheelchair-accessible van, going from point A to point B could become very overwhelming for the Maddox family.

[READ: Officer killed in line of duty was young father expecting 2nd child any day]

“She is not only going to have to worry about lifting the equipment and her son, having a newborn and everything she is going to have, I couldn't imagine," Marcie told Pozen.

Channel 2 Action News learned Monday that Alex Maddox, Chase's wife, had gone into labor.

If you would like to help, a fund has been set up for the family.

You can send monetary donations to:

Toyota of McDonough
Chase Maddox Memorial Fund
Servis 1st Bank
P.O. Box 1508
Birmingham, AL 35201-1508
Routing Number: 062006505
Account Number: 1110355433

The family has set also up a bank account to receive donations for Officer Maddox's wife and children. You may drop off donations at any United Community Bank location and ask that it be deposited into "The Maddox Family Fund." There is no need to provide an account number.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family as well.

You can also donate newborn and infant items at the public safety building. Food donations must be coordinated through police. You can do that by reaching out to Bernadette at 770-957-7055.

Cox Media Group