Tragedy Strikes High School Sweethearts
Once high school sweethearts, Alex Maddox imagined a lifetime together with her husband, Chase. However, reality took a devastating turn.
In 2018, she got the call every police spouse fears: Chase Maddox had been shot three times while serving an arrest warrant in Locust Grove, Georgia, and tragically didn’t survive the journey to the hospital.
“It was hell on earth,” she shared. “It was my worst nightmare come true.”
Just four days after her husband’s death, Alex gave birth to their second son, Bodhi.
As a mother of two, and with her role as a project manager at Delta Air Lines now behind her, she found herself navigating single parenthood head-on. Their first child, Bradin, who had special needs, passed away in 2022 due to complications, adding another layer of grief to her life.
“I was at a point where I felt like my foundation was very broken,” she reflected. “It felt like my tires were spinning just trying to move forward.”
During this challenging time, Alex learned about Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing scholarships to families affected by the loss of military and law enforcement members. They not only offered her scholarship support for furthering her education in communications but also introduced her to a network of fellow police widows.
“Folds of Honor has brought so much support into my life,” she said. “We’ve been able to connect with others going through similar experiences, which helps us feel less alone.”
Through this organization, she found hope and community, encouraging her and her 7-year-old son to keep moving forward.
Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has granted over 73,000 scholarships across the nation, amounting to more than $340 million.
Recently, Folds of Honor made headlines by committing $1 million to support NYPD officer families, already announcing scholarships for the children of Didarul Islam, an officer who was killed in July while providing security in Manhattan.
“This commitment to the brave men and women who protect our families embodies our mission to honor their sacrifice and educate about their legacy,” stated Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, the founder and CEO of Folds of Honor.
The scholarship offers $5,000 per year, and if all three children complete four years of school, the family could receive $60,000, according to officials.
“The families of our fallen and disabled heroes make tremendous sacrifices,” noted Patrick Hendry, president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association. “When tragedy strikes, every plan is thrown into turmoil, including educational goals. Folds of Honor is helping to restore a piece of the future for these families. It means everything to us in the Blue Family.”
