Area gun enthusiasts will get the opportunity to own a part of a law enforcement legend on Thursday, Oct. 22 with the auctioning of the late Chief T.C. Bloxom’s private firearms collection.
The auction will take place at the Minden home of James and Lyda Madden, located at 100 Willow Creek Drive, beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets of $25 per person will include dinner catered by Party Express and must be purchased prior to the event. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold.
Chief Bloxom devoted over 70 years in law enforcement and fire fighting to the citizens of Webster Parish and Minden, beginning as a volunteer fireman at the age of 14. He remained a fireman for 63 years, the last 37 as chief.
At the age of 27, T.C. joined the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, where he earned a reputation for his investigative prowess and was known as a “closer.” He retired as chief deputy sheriff after 26 years. In 1990, T.C. ran for and handily won the position of chief of police for the City of Minden, a title he held for the next 20 years.
The “chief” passed away on July 12, 2014 at the age of 84, still a master storyteller with a renowned dry wit and sense of humor.
“My friend dedicated his entire life to serving this community,” auction co-coordinator James Madden said. “Now, a year after his passing, he continues to give.”
Monies from the auction and ticket sales will go towards the construction of the new Children’s Building at First United Methodist Church.
“During the years that T.C. served as chief, he supported Minden’s churches and their expansion projects,” Pam Bloxom, whose desire to put her husband’s gun collection to good use sparked the idea of the auction, said. “I believe he would be very happy with this effort to help create a state-of-the-art learning space for the children and youth of First Methodist.”
Tickets to the casual event may be purchased at the First United Methodist Church on Broadway, Carey Real Estate on the Homer Road, or T.G’s Gardens & Gifts on Hwy. 531. Checks should be made payable to the First United Methodist Church.
Auction items will be posted on the “T.C. Bloxom Gun Auction” Facebook page beginning Thursday, Oct 1.