Four heroes inducted into the Pike County Memorial Annex

Four heroes who lost their lives in the line of duty were honored at the 2022 Pike County Memorial Annex Induction Ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 197.

The 2022 inductees included Law Enforcement Officer Chase Maddox and Army Air Corps Second Lieutenant James E. “Buck” Corley, Army Private Eddie R. Parks and Army Private Thomas J. Sandefur, all from WWII.

The special ceremony was held at the Pike County Memorial Annex on U.S. Route 19, Zebulon, the Pike County American Legion Post 197 hosted the 2022 Pike County Memorial Annex Induction Ceremony.
The event’s guest speaker was Alex Maddox, widow of patrolman Maddox who was killed in the line of duty in February 2018. His second son was born four days after he was killed and he was present at the memorial in honor of his dad. Alex addressed the approximately 50 attendees on “What it is like to be an Officer Down Widow.”

Chase was 26 when he was killed and he and his young family moved to Pike County in September 2017.

Master of Ceremonies Bryan Richardson addressed the attendees on the magnitude of WWII as highlighted by the significant effects on the Army Air Corps. A Memorial Wreath was posted at the four shadow boxes by Alex and Brodie Maddox, Sheriff Jimmy Thomas and Commander Paul Chatterton, assisted by the Multi-organizational Honor Guard in honor of the four inductees which also included the playing of “Amazing Grace” and the playing of “Taps” by Will Busby.

The 2022 inductees joined 33 other previous inductees for a total of 37 which include three from law enforcement and 34 from the military. The Pike County board of education dedicated a portion of its school facilities to be used as an exclusive memorial for all those in Pike County who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving the community. This includes first responders such as emergency medical service members and paramedics, sheriff’s office and city police departments, county fire department and city volunteer fire departments as well as military service members.

“Those who could not attend the event can visit the Memorial Annex and see all the shadow boxes as you get to know the inductees as well as learn about some history of Pike County and our U.S. wars and conflicts,” said Post 197 historian Bryan Richardson. “The Memorial Annex is truly a great facility, a Pike County treasure, and it is open to the public. And it’s free! It is open when the school is open. Contact me, Bryan Richardson if you interested in a special group guided tour.”

Highlights of the Program included the Posting of the Colors by the multi-organizational Color Guard consisting of Sergeant Eddie Huffman and Deputy Deangelo Smith from the Pike County Sheriff’s Office and Stephen Golias, Stefan Huckaby and Ron Griffin from Post 197; the singing of the National Anthem by Carol Griffin; a POW/MIA tribute by Post 197 Commander Paul Chatterton; a brief history of the Memorial Annex by Historian Bryan Richardson; biography readings of the four inductees; and the unveiling of each inductee’s shadow box by Lieutenant Matthew Long from the Locust Grove Police Department and Legionnaires Stefan Huckaby, Commander Paul Chatterton and Ben Maxedon.