Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Edgar A. Clay died of a bilateral pulmonary embolism 18 days after an offender struck him at Hyde Park Academy at 6220 Stony Island Avenue. On January 7th, 1982, he encountered a student who had reportedly been involved in a robbery and possessed a .22 caliber handgun. He was assaulted after taking the gun from the boy. He injured his knee during the struggle. A blood clot formed as a result of the injury and he suffered an embolism on January 25th, 1982. Officer Clay had served with the Chicago Police Department for 25 years and was assigned to the Area I Youth Division.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, a brother and five grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-D51AB386- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Clay gave the Chicago Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Clay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Edgar A. Clay, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edgar A. Clay, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Edgar A. Clay, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Cause: Assault
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edgar A. Clay, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edgar A. Clay, Jr. was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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