HOME BIOGRAPHY PHOTO GALLERY SENIOR CITIZENS NEWS LINKS CONTACT                       By YJean Chambers Have you noticed it? If you drive north or south on Harrison Street, you must cross over the David Clay Memorial Bridge. At night, it is an oasis of light after the dimness on either side. The three bright, little lights on top of each of the four slender white columns seem to wash over the short span and cause it to shine and gleam in a way that reminds us of the man who is memorialized there. He is David Clay, younger brother of Commissioner Rudy Clay. David was born in Gary in 1937. He was killed in February, 1976 while trying to stop a robbery at Mona's Restaurant located at 15th Avenue and Broadway. Before he was shot by one of the robbers, he was able to fatally wound another one. He was doing his duty as a deputy constable when the robbery occurred. As a result of his efforts, lives were saved and the robbery was interrupted. The late Congressman Adam Benjamin gave David Clay a posthumous award on the floor of Congress. The lives of the Clay brothers are like a fairy tale. Their family origins are in the vicinity of Decatur, Ala. Commissioner Clay was three years old when his mother brought him to Gary. Shortly after David was born, she died. So the two boys really didn't get to know her; but on their mother's death bed, their Aunt Daisy Washington assured her that she and her sister, Aunt Lucy Hunter, would raise David and Rudy. Commissioner Clay told me that he and David saw their father only a few times in their lives. Aunt Daisy and Aunt Lucy kept their promises to their dying sister. David Clay was a graduate of Roosevelt High School circa 1954. Rudy tells me that brother David seemed to have inherent "Good Samaritan" characteristics. Although he worked in the mill, he cherished his role as a deputy constable during his free time. Rudy recalled a specific incident, "I remember riding along with David one time when he saw a lady's purse being snatched. He jumped out of the car and caught the purse-snatcher. My brother was just a very kind and helpful person." Commissioner Clay assured me that he will see to it that the bridge is kept in good repair. I don't like to see any aspect of our history of Gary people and events allowed to deteriorate, especially those monuments that call to mind the many unique individuals who have made a difference in the quality of our lives. Growing up in an urban environment; growing up in a rough steel town; or growing up in the care of Aunt Daisy or Aunt Lucy or other guardians doesn't doom us to destructive citizenship. Remember that when you drive across the David Clay Memorial Bridge during the Advent Season. Think of the sacrificial life of David Clay who was only 39-years-old when he left us trying to stop criminal behavior.	Clay gives fundraiser to build more wheelchair ramps. Click here.               There is a change in the way lots can be disposed of. Click here.               Clay proposes using casino funds to pay property taxes for senior citizens. Click here.                 Clay holds the "Toys for Kids that Santa Claus Forgot" program. Click here.
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