PIKE COUNTY, Ga. — Dozens of police officers escorted the son of a fallen officer to school on Friday, one day before the anniversary of his father's death.
Locust Grove police officer Chase Maddox, 26, was killed Feb. 9, 2018 in the line of duty. His son, Bradin, is now in second grade at Pike County Primary School.
On Friday, dozens of officers from the Pike County Sheriff's Office and the Locust Grove Police Department accompanied Bradin's bus to school as they celebrated "Hero Day." School officials say the celebration honors people who have died.
Squad cars, including the his father had driven, followed Bradin's school bus and officers lined up outside the school to salute him and his mother, Alex, as they came inside. Bradin, who has special needs, was also greeted by classmates and members of the community.
Students also gave Alex Maddox a bouquet of flowers.
"Bradin had a super special bond with his dad, and today got to be all about him and his love for his dad and how much we miss him," Alex Maddox said.
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Chase Maddox died in a shootout that left two Henry County deputies injured. The suspect was also killed.
Alex Maddox was nine months pregnant with their second son when Chase Maddox died. Bodie Maddox was born just days after his father died.
"Things like this are what's gotten us through the last year," Alex Maddox said. "Just to see the love and support that has not ceased at all in the last 364 days is just amazing."
Alex Maddox created a foundation, Chase It Up Inc., to honor her late husband. Ahead of "Hero Day," the primary school sold 575 bracelets with proceeds going to the foundation, which offers support to officers and their families.
Last year, Alex Maddox spoke to Channel 2 Action News about how she would like her husband to be remembered as a hero.
"My husband was, in every essence of the word, 'hero.' I knew he was. I knew he was a man of honor, strength, integrity -- everything that should make up an officer," she said.
Photos taken by the Pike County Journal-Reporter. WGXA also contributed to this story.
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