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Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Monday, May 31, 1926
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
25th and Locust streets, Anderson
Incident County:
Madison
Incident Township:
Anderson
Weapon Used:
.45-caliber handgun
Suspect Disposition:
• Died while in custody
• Sentenced to 10 to 25 years

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Anderson Police Department

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Patrol Officer Leonard Ernest Clay

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Patrol Officer
Leonard Ernest Clay
Anderson Police Department
Monday, May 31, 1926

Panel 29W, Line 15
Panel L9, Line 2

   Patrol Officer Leonard Clay was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in progress at a gas station near 25th and Locust streets.

   He chased the suspect several blocks before being shot four times. Officer Clay was taken to St. John's Hospital in Anderson where he died.

   Both suspects were captured a few hours later and were responsible for burglaries and robberies in Indiana and Ohio, including a home in Tiffin in which $4,500 was taken.

   The 33-year-old shooter, who had been shot and wounded by Officer Clay, was charged with first-degree murder. He died by suicide nine days later by hanging himself with a necktie in the Madison County Jail.

   A 24-year-old man pleaded guilty to auto banditry and sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison.

   Patrol Officer Clay was survived by his wife, father, three brothers and three sisters.

Military Service


United States Army
Private (PVT)


Personal Details

Age: 33
Law Enforcement Service:
Burial Place:
Grove Lawn Cemetery, Pendleton