Ray memoralized as Madison Officer of the Year

MADISON — Corey Ray, the late Madison Central School resource officer who died this year, was posthumously recognized as Officer of the Year by the Madison Police Department earlier this week.

Madison Police Chief Gene Waldrop said the department chose Ray who died at the age of 41 in July after a long battle with Crohn’s disease for the honor and held a ceremony at the Madison Police Department on Monday afternoon.  

“This is a very noteworthy and honorable award,” Waldrop said. “We appreciate Keesler Federal credit Union for recognizing Corey. He was one of our super officers. He did an outstanding job and he is missed.”

Ray’s mother, Karen Golden, was present to accept the award for her son. 

“There is not a whole lot to say,” Golden said as a few tears welled in her eyes. “I am touched that they would recognize him…. It is just amazing.”

Golden said her son loved the police department and the Madison community, specifically the schools where he worked as a resource officer.

The award was presented by Waldrop and representatives of Keesler Federal Credit Union, Caitlin Bradshaw, community development officer and Heather Mathis, Madison branch manager.

“We are honored to give back,” Mathis said. “Corey Ray was a kind-hearted person and we are happy to give this to his mother.”