Gabriel Clay holding diploma case

Gabriel Clay planned to become a firefighter after his 2014 graduation from Roxboro Community School (RCS).  He completed all but one of the necessary classes and achieved state Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, but then his career plans took another turn. 

Since 2018, Gabriel has been employed with the Person County Sheriff’s Department. 

“I have always been interested in law enforcement and always felt that public service was my career calling,” he said. I was heavily involved in the fire department and decided that I could pursue a career in law enforcement and still volunteer in the fire service. I have since gotten out of the fire service and focused on my law enforcement career.”

He said the greatest reward of working in law enforcement is “being able to help the people in their times of need.”

When asked how he would advise current high school students thinking about plans after graduation, Gabriel said, “I give every young person this advice and that is to follow your dreams. Don’t let things stand in your way for the career that you want to pursue. College isn’t for everyone. There is a need for public servants and trade workers.”

Of his own time in high school, Gabriel said, “The fondest memories I have at RCS are the times I spent with my group of friends hanging out in the parking lot after school.” 

He played baseball in eighth grade at RCS, but said after that he “didn’t really participate in any extracurricular activities. When I turned 16-years-old,” he added, “and got my [driver’s] license I began working part time.”

Gabriel said RCS gave him the foundation and education he needed to further himself “in any career path I decided to pursue.”

When he is not working, he said he likes to spend time “fishing, hanging out, and planning our wedding and finding new adventures with my fiancée Abby. We both love to go to the beach and go fishing from the pier.”