Ray memorialized with plaque at press box

The late Madison Police officer Corey Ray was recognized with a plaque in his memory on the press box at the Madison Central Baseball Stadium before Tuesday night’s game.

“It was a beautiful tribute to Corey,” Ray’s mother, Karen Golden, said. “I am pleased and honored. It is so nice to see that he is still remembered and loved.”

Golden and Ray’s father, Charles Ray, threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the game after a dedication ceremony in which they were given a copy of the plaque and flowers flanked by local law enforcement.

“I couldn't count how many police officers were there,” Golden said.

Dignitaries included Madison Police Chief Gene Waldrop and Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler.

“Thank You Madison Central for honoring officer Corey Ray and his family tonight,“ MPD said in a statement on social media. “The Jaguar Press Box naming will be a lasting tribute to his everlasting impact he had on all of us. Corey Ray truly had a passion to serve both the school and its students on and off campus. Fly High 408”

Describing the crowd, Golden said it was “a good turnout.”

The Jags dropped Tuesday's game to West Jones 2-0 going 11-5 on the season. the Jags return to action tomorrow evening at West Jones before taking on The 8-6 Ridgeland Titans on Saturday in Ridgeland.

Ray was a school resource officer and public address announcer for the Jags baseball team.

Golden said Ray enjoyed all MC sports but that Jaguar Baseball was “his heart.”

Golden said she knew baseball season was coming because Ray would set up a card table in the den with his computer to fine-tune edited music drops, walk-out songs and sound effects for use during the games he announced. She said that the table was usually set up throughout the whole season.

Corey Evan Ray, 41, of Ridgeland, died July 14, 2021, at his home surrounded by family and friends. Golden, said he went peacefully after a lengthy struggle with an extended illness. 

Ray put in long hours at the school and would often go by to check on things on holidays and his days off, his mother said.

Ray was born on May 8, 1980. He graduated high school from Madison Central and joined the Madison County Sheriff's Office in the same year, 1998. He served with the Sheriff’s Office for 12 years.

In 2010, Ray joined the Madison Police Department and worked in Dispatch before becoming the School Resource Officer for Madison Central High School.