Caddo Lake Bass Tournament Will Honor Fallen Bossier Officer

I consider myself one of the fortunate ones who was blessed to call Bossier City Police Officer, Chad Kelley, my friend.

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Chad came into my life over twenty years ago as he helped to coach my oldest son's Dixie Baseball team.

I was able to spend countless weekends with Chad and his wife and their three children at ballparks all across the South.

Of course, it didn't hurt that Chad was also an avid deer hunter and an incredible bass fisherman. It gave us a lot of common ground to walk on.

It was also ironic that while I was in the midst of my own battle with cancer, that Chad too, would be diagnosed with the Big C. Though, I must admit, there are days when I have this weird sense of guilt that I'm cancer-free, but that my friend Chad, is gone.

Though it really wasn't the cancer that ultimately took him, it was the impetus for the infection that robbed us of him much too early.

Chad was one of those people that just couldn't go unnoticed. If Chad was around, you knew it!

And this Saturday, July 19, the Chad Kelley Memorial Tournament will be held on Caddo Lake out of the Earl G. Williamson Park in Oil City.

Entry fee is only $100 per boat plus a stuffed animal. An additional Big Bass Pot of $20 is also available.

All proceeds will go to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Chad's name and all the stuffed animals will be distributed to local law enforcement and medical facilities to hopefully bring some relief and smiles from our youth during their trying time.

For any questions, contact tournament organizer, Paul Funk, at 318-553-7350