Grant Hedrick served Canadian County for 11 years. Monday, his co-workers, family and friends came together to celebrate a permanent marker acknowledging that service.
The District 3 commissioner, killed in a single car accident Nov. 16, was remembered by fellow commissioners David Anderson and Phil Carson during their regularly scheduled meeting. Unveiling a plaque designed in tribute to Hedrick, Anderson and Carson said they wanted to honor the “service, commitment and friendship” of a man whose influence moved beyond the county's borders.
“He (Hedrick) took the job as the opportunity to serve his community, and that's what he did,” Anderson said.
The ceremony came 10 weeks after Hedrick failed to show up at a regular commissioners meeting. At first thought to be running late, Anderson and Carson learned from Sheriff Randall Edwards — whose son, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Dallas Edwards worked the accident — Hedrick had been involved in a fatality accident.
Hedrick was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle during the accident. Toxicology and other test results still have not been issued by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office. Until those findings are released, even the actual time of the accident is still unclear. Investigators said they believe the wreck occurred sometime between late Nov. 15 and early Nov. 16.
Cherokee Ballard, spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office, said many times test results can take as long as three to four months.
A seven-person committee formed shortly after Hedrick's death developed the concept of a permanent plaque, which will be exhibited in the county courthouse lobby, Anderson said. Several individuals will also benefit from Hedrick's legacy, Anderson said, through a scholarship and trophies purchased in his name.
A $500 scholarship will be awarded March 9 at the Canadian County Livestock Auction. Brad Tipton, Oklahoma State University extension educator, said Anderson and Carson will present the scholarship, along with livestock scholarships offered by the extension office. Funds have also been set aside to purchase trophies for the children's tractor pedal pull event held during the Canadian County Free Fair this year, Tipton said.
“The livestock show was near and dear to Grant's heart,” Tipton said. “On the trophies for the fair, Grant sponsored those every year since we started it about 12 years or so ago, and there are trophies in all five categories. This will continue what he's done.”
Funds for the plaque, scholarship and trophies came through employee donations, Tipton said. Raising more than $700, employees wanted to “make sure we did him right,” Carson said. “It says a lot that Grant's co-workers wanted to honor him.”
The application period for the scholarship is limited to graduating seniors who are in the livestock program and who show livestock, Tipton said.
Applications must be hand-delivered to the extension office or postmarked by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Anyone who is interested can call 262-0155.