Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Tuffy helped children cross the street to get to Wilson elementary school. As a little kid, I didn’t realize how dangerous that would have been without him. I have fond memories of living in Childress.

Pam Boone Hayhurst

November 29, 2022

Rest in peace Chief of Police Maddox.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 12, 2022

Rest in peace Chief of Police Maddox.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 25, 2021

We vacationed with Tuffy in Red River NM, probably early 70’s. His grandson and I went fishing, it started to pour down. We went under a bridge and continued to fish. When the rain stopped we got out and started walking back to the cabins. We hadn’t got 50 feet when an officer pulled up. Turns out the whole department had been looking for us for hours. They did give us a ride back.
We were smart enough to get out of the rain.

Kevin Hansen

July 29, 2021

Chief Maddox,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Childress. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 22, 2020

Thank you for your service and always know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo (Retired)
Delaware State Police

June 22, 2020

Tuffy was a true friend and living legend. He never hesitated to help someone in need. The stories I could tell of him that were so facinating. I will never forget his commanding voice and leadership. He will always be close to my heart.

Cal Fischer

June 27, 2019

I remember meeting Chief Maddox when I was a Rookie Highway Patrolman stationed in Quanah. My Partner who broke me was Ted Poling who was from Childress.

I always enjoyed having coffee with the Officers from Childress County. I also enjoyed the stories that Chief Maddox would tell.

Rest In Peace Sir.

David Gomez
Thrall Texas Police Department

March 25, 2019

Tuffy lived a few houses from me and when I was pregnant I would walk to work at the gas company downtown and Tufty would wait and walk me every day . He was his own man and a fine one at that . I will always have the utmost respect for him .

Sandi Smothermon.
Friend

July 22, 2016

I did not know this page was here and plan on sharing it so more can see it. Tuffy was a legend. I can reflect pages of stuff. Lil' Alvis Payne Maddox and I were childhood friends from 1 grade up till about High Schools and many many days were spend at his house and Tuffy and Fern were very nice to me. I was not around when Tuffy passed I was working with the Army Corp at the time and later came to become a firefighter. The Hurst Jaws of Life were used the first time in Childress on the accident Tuffy had. I can tell a lot of stories of this great guy. Some probably I should not. I also remember some of the officers that worked for him. Joe Ricks, Hiram Ricks, Otis Burrows, Wayland Wright, Finis Wrinkle. Were some of the older guys. Later in years there was quite a few. Roberts Seagroves, Bill Hinton, Garvin Speed, Andrew Brown. Grandson Alvis, you can find me on Facebook. John Arnn. Only one in Childress.

Retired Captain John Arnn
Childress Fire Department

July 22, 2016

RIP Chief Alvis F. "Tuffy" Maddox, your Brothers in Blue will take it from here. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of Childress, Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family Friends and Co-Workers.

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

June 22, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 22, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 28, 2012

I have a fond memory of Tuffy, I was raised in Childress. In 1974 when I got out of the Marine Corps, I visited Tuffy in Childress. We went in the police car out to a bootleggers house in NE. The bootlegger came out and said yesser Mr Tuffy. We bought a bottle and went out to the red river shooting.

Bill Mills, Sgt
USMC

June 15, 2012

All i have are the stories my mother tells me. I really wish there were more on here. My Grandpa Tuffy passed the year before i was born and my father 10yrs after that. Im the only Alvis F. left. Hopefully i have a child one day to carry on the name. God Bless

Alvis F. Payne
Grandson

March 10, 2012

Ive heard so much about this man and the life he lived. God Bless!

Alvis F. Payne
Grandson

March 10, 2012

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

February 5, 2008

There was none like Tuffy. There are so many stories I could tell. I knew him from age 4 till his death. I guess I must have been 23. I tried to get him to hire me a few times. He'd just laugh and say..."you don't need this". I was best friends with Little Alvis and spent many days in and around their house and all the police. Tuffy was never off duty and was probably the toughest man I ever met. He'd wrestle the wrestlers when they came down to preform. I don't believe he ever knew fear. I could go on for a while but had better not.

Correctional Officer John Arnn
Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice

July 30, 2007

Uncle Tuffy,

You are one reason that police officers are my heroes.

Love,

Belinda

Belinda Maddox
niece

July 11, 2006

Chief Maddox,
As one LEO wrote in a fallen officer's reflection, "No fallen officer should be without a reflection." Thank you for your dedicated service to the citizens of Childress.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

January 20, 2005