Randy Meadows

TROUP – The Troup Police Department gave its highest honor to Randy Meadows during an award banquet Thursday evening. 

Meadows, a long time lawman with a distinguished career with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, was named the Troup department’s Officer of the Year. He died earlier this year after suffering a heart attack following surgery.

Troup Police Chief Pat Hendrix said the choice was an easy one to make.

“Randy and I started at the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at the same time, and he was a true asset to that department. Then when I became chief here in Troup, he took my old job and he helped us tremendously with his resources and his contacts,” he said.

In 2013 Meadows retired from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and worked for Hendrix as a reserve officer for the Troup Police Department.

Hendrix said Meadows’ son Josh accepted the award for his father during the ceremony, which was interrupted by an approaching tornado. 

Hendrix said he had to initiate the warning sirens for the city and usher people into a safer location within the Troup High School.

Hendrix said despite the storm, the night’s focus was to honor Meadows. 

“When he came here, it was almost like bringing in a second chief with all of the experience he had and the knowledge he brought to the department. He was not only a valued member of law enforcement, Randy was my friend and he is missed,” he said.