Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Youth Officer Clay was also known as Coach Clay (Boy’s Football Team for St. Joachim’s Catholic School, located at 90th and Langley Street (now closed)). Coach was responsible for helping a number of boys attend some of Chicago’s great high schools. Some of us went onto attend such powerhouses as Mount Carmel, Mendel Catholic Prep, Brother Rice, Leo Catholic High School and Hales Franciscan High School, some of us even got scholarships to attend these wonderful high schools thanks to Coach Clay.

Coach Clay was a dedicate professional, yes he worked at Area 1 Youth Division (which use to be located in Washington Park right off of Cottage Grove). Yes, he worked with both troubled youth from the (Blackstone Rangers, Disciples and other street gangs) but each day at 3:30 PM, Monday thru Friday, Coach Clay showed up to work with the boys of St. Joachim’s Football Team. He was a caring, loving and compassionate person who was able to look at each of my teammate of the 1968 Graduating Class of St. Joachim as a member of his family.
He was able to separate his work with trouble youth and work with young boys who had a love and desire to just be football players. It is my understanding that none of the boys on our team ever got involved in the street gang lifestyle and I firmly believe it was because of Coach and what he taught us. Work hard, be polite and respectful and believe in God.

I have a love for Coach Clay because he treated me like his very own son. I must confess that Coach Clay worked with my father who was also a Youth Officer at Area 1. When, my father did not have the time for me, Coach Clay made the time. When I graduated from St. Joachim’s and went to Hales Franciscan, Coach Clay was there for our first year. He helped make the transition into high school easier for me and my fellow teammates.

Coach Clay has been missed everyday since Our Heavenly Father called him home and I am comforted to know that he and my father, Youth Officer Frank Crowell along Superintendent Fred Rice are together again, May they Rest In Peace.

James Franklin Crowell
Ret. Supervisory Special Agent, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firea

July 20, 2020

RIP BROTHER

Illinois Antique Emergency Vehicle Assn.

June 24, 2015

Rest in Peace, Officer Clay. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

April 27, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never dimishes respect, and your memory will always be honored and revered. .

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 25, 2012

Officer Clay you are remembered for your dedication to duty. RIP

Det. Michael Kane
Boston Police Dept.

January 25, 2012

It has been 29 years since your sacrifice, but please know you are not forgotten by the CPD.

Detective Thomas Downes
Chicago

January 27, 2011

You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 24, 2010

Thinking of you and your loved ones on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol in the City. You are a true hero.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 25, 2008

Officer Clay, you and your family are in my thoughts this day, your EOW. Rest easy...Never forgotten!

John E. Gordon
Brother of Michael P. Gordon, CPD (EOW 08/AUG/2004)

January 25, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 22, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 30, 2007

RIP BROTHER EDGAR. YOU ARE REMEMBERED MY BROTHER.

DETECTIVE Mike
CHICAGO P.D.

December 14, 2005