Patrolman Edgar Allen Clay Jr. | Star #1042

Patrolman Edgar Allen Clay, Jr., Star #10425, aged 51 years, was a 24 year, 6 month, 9 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Bureau of Operational Services – Youth Division: Unit 071 – Area 1 Youth.

On January 6, 1982, at 6:15 p.m., a student of the Hyde Park Career Academy located at 6220 South Stony Island Avenue was robbed by Joel Ford, age 15, of 7016 South Harper Avenue, also a student. Ford approached the victim inside the school and produced a gun and then took the victims gym bag. He then struck the victim in the head with a fist while holding the gun in his other hand and fled the scene.

On January 7, 1982, in the early morning, the victim and his father appeared in Officer Clay’s office. Officer Clay was the assigned school officer and on duty at the time. The victim, along with his father, reported the robbery to Officer Clay who filed a police report. Later the same day, at 12:15 p.m., the victim told Officer Clay that he had seen Ford in the school hallway. Officer Clay imediately went into the hallway to look for the suspect. He observed Ford in the hallway, stoped him, and told him to turn around. While attempting to search Ford, he resisted and a struggle ensued. During the struggle the youth caused Officer Clay to fall to the floor, striking his right knee, breaking his kneecap. Officer Clay then became partially incapacitated due to the injury. Several other school personnel heard the commotion and stepped in to assist the officer. They held the offender until police arrived to take him into custody. A custodial search of the offender revealed a loaded .22 caliber revolver with six rounds in his backpack. The juvenile was transported to the 3rd District for processing. Officer Clay was transported to Billings Hospital where he was treated, released and placed on the Medical Roll.

While on the medical Officer Clay developed a blood clot from the knee injury. On January 25, 1982, 1:15 p.m., he was found by his mother-in-law, Ms. Molly Hale, laying on his bedroom floor unresponsive. She called for help and CFD responded. Officer Clay was transported to Jackson Park Hospital by CFD Ambulance #38 where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Correa at 2:43 p.m. on January 25, 1982. On January 26, 1982, it was determind by a Cook County Medical Examiner Pathologist that Officer Clay died as the result of a bi-lateral pulmonary embolism in association with a recent leg injury.

Ford was charged as an adult with armed robbery, armed violence, unlawful use of weapon, resisting arrest and aggravated battery. ASA Kevin Horan after reviewing all reports and interviewing witness attempt to receive approval for felony charges on Ford. After consulting with Supervising ASA Joseph LoCallo felony charges were denied.

Officer Clay was waked at A. A. Rayner & Sons Funeral Home located at 318 East 71st Street, his funeral mass was also held at A. A. Rayner & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, was cremated and entomed on January 30, 1982 in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, 3801 West 87th Street, Evergreen Park, Illinois. His crypt is located in the Mausoleum, Crypt 104, Tier 1.

Patrolman Edgar Allen Clay, Jr., born June 30, 1930, received his Probationary Appointment to the Department on July 16, 1957.

Officer Clay served in the Armed Forces, was a veteran of the Korean War and was Honorably Discharged. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Clay was survived by his wife, Kay Frances (nee Hale); children: Angela Kay, age 22, Edgar Allen, III, age 21 and Robert Nathanial, age 31; brother, Sidney L. and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Edgar Allen, Sr. and Ella Louise (nee Long).

Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #D007720, D007722 and D026812.