TITLE: In memory of Sabine County Sheriff Thomas Neil Maddox.

SUMMARY: In memory of Sabine County Sheriff Thomas Neil Maddox.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service has drawn to a close with the death of Thomas Neil Maddox Sr. of Pineland on February 13, 2025, at the age of 75; and WHEREAS, Tom Maddox was born on September 11, 1949, in Henderson, to Oscar and Mildred Maddox, and he grew up with the companionship of two brothers, Eric and Glen, and two sisters, Gloria and Elesa; he went on to share a fulfilling marriage with his wife, Barbara, before her death in 2011, and they were blessed with three children, Thomas, Carmen, and Cindy; and WHEREAS, Mr. Maddox worked as a Texas Department of Public Safety officer for 30 years, earning the rank of corporal before his retirement; in 2001, he was elected sheriff of Sabine County, and he held that office for more than 24 years until his passing; along the way, he served two terms as president of the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, where he advocated for border safety and law enforcement initiatives; and WHEREAS, Engaged in his community, Sheriff Maddox was a member of Redland Masonic Lodge No. 3 in San Augustine and the Shriners and Scottish Rite; he participated in Pineland Day events, and he was honored as Citizen of the Year for his dedication; moreover, he served with the Pineland Volunteer Fire Department and the Sabine County Go Texas Cook-Off Team, and he established the D.A.R.E. program in Sabine County schools; and WHEREAS, In his free time, Sheriff Maddox enjoyed hunting, fishing, and coaching Little League baseball and girls' softball; above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, and he was a longtime congregant of Hemphill Church of Christ; and WHEREAS, Tom Maddox touched the lives of countless people through his more than five decades of exceptional public service, and he has left behind a legacy that will forever be cherished by all those who held him dear; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Sheriff Thomas Neil Maddox Sr. and extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his family: to his son, Thomas Neil Maddox Jr., and his fianc e, Casey Ashimine; to his daughters, Carmen Willis and her husband, Brad, and Cindy Burns and her husband, Joey; to his companion, Sue Bohannon; to his brother, Glen Maddox, and his wife, Cindy; to his sister, Elesa Detting; to his six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and to his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Tom Maddox. Shofner Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 302 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 13, 2025. Chief Clerk of the House