Sidney Loses Public Servant, Community Volunteer

We can call it a 10-76 as it is his end of watch. Even though the call is primarily for road officers, and his sense of duty wasn't limited to the badge. The community can clearly say there are some big shoes to fill for he was involved in more to support the community than many will ever know.

The life Randy ZoeRay "Chopper" Haddix, ended unexpectedly at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colo., on July 9. He was born in Broken Bow, Neb., the fourth child of Delmer Abslum and Gertrude Louise Haddix.

He enlisted in the Army National Guard-Nebraska, stationed with the Co C 1195th Armor. His military education was a 14-week course at Fort Knox, Tenn. He specialty was a 19EIO Armor Crewman. He was Honorably Discharged in 1985 as a Specialist Four E-4 from Company C 1-195 Armor. He was a Hunter Safety Master Instructor up to the time of his death, always helping educate the public, helping put hundreds of kids through his classes.

He joined the Broken Bow Police Department in 1984. While with the Department, he was the school resource officer and the DARE instructor. His interest in young people followed him throughout his life.

"He was all about kids," said friend Dave Sanders.

Sanders says Haddix's interest in people wasn't limited to the younger generations. He liked to see people happy, and to be a mentor whenever possible.

"He was always there to listen when I was down and out. He helped me a lot," Sanders said.

Sanders and Melody Buckley describe Haddix as always involved, especially in volunteer causes. They said he was often a volunteer, and frequently lead volunteer causes. Tom Bryant, founding president of Sidney Shooting Park, recalls Haddix as one of the first people to volunteer.

He applied to work at Cabela's in 1998, remaining on staff until the buyout with the Bass Pro purchase. In the Fall of 2004, Sidney, home "The Foremost Outfitter," did not have a public shooting facility. That began to change with the commitment of a group of volunteers, including Haddix. Bryant describes Haddix as a "born volunteer."

He stopped at the One-Box Gun Club after the creation of the Sidney Shooting Park (SSP) with the news of the new facility. Haddix was offered the Club's manual sporting clay traps to SSP.

"Whether on the board or not, Randy could always be counted among the most enthusiastic supporters of our Park," Bryant said.

He was also known for his hunting and cooking prowess. Sanders recalls a time he left a cookout in pain, unable to eat into part of the next day because of the extravagant food Haddix prepared.

"I would put his cooking up against any restaurant," Sanders said.

The stove and grill were outlets that allowed him to be around friends, one of his passions in life.

"He enjoyed his friends and being around them," he said.

Melody Buckley said he accepted her children and grandchildren as if his own. She recalls times grandchildren would call him "PaPa," and he would get them toys and whatever else a child would want.

One of his latest investments for the children was a paddle boat.

"He didn't get to see it in the water," Melody said.

In April 2018, he started his new job as a detention officer at the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office. He was in training for his return to law enforcement when a cardiac event claimed his life.

He was also a member of the Region 21 Community Emergency Response Team, and a big part of its start. He received two awards for his work with Regional 21 CERT: Citizens Corps Volunteer of the Year award presented by the governor in Lincoln, Neb., in 2016, and the Nebraska State Patrol Public Service Award in 2018.

On July 25, Point 27, an Atlanta, Ga.-based global nonprofit, sent Thin Blue Line scripture-inscribed dog tags called Shields of Strength to the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office in honor of Haddix.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday.