Fish fry for Harrison County deputy with brain cancer

Another outpouring of support for law enforcement in Gulfport today as South Mississippians cranked up the heat at a fish fry fundraiser for Deputy Jose Clay who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year.
News 25’s Gina Tomlinson takes us there and introduces us to the surprise guest of honor.
Harrison County deputy Jose Clay’s main mission in life is to protect and serve, but after he was diagnosed last September with brain cancer his life was in his doctor’s hands as they removed a tumor from his brain in October. Since then he’s had trouble with his motor skills and his balance, both physically and mentally. “I can go to the store and I can see milk sometime and sometimes I mistakenly grab the wrong thing,” said Clay.
Clay has been with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department for seven years and on Friday, the Sheriff’s Association held a fish fry fundraiser at the work center in Gulfport. Every plate going towards helping Clay recover from his brain surgery, but no one was expecting Clay to actually come too. Al Jones with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Association said, “Absolutely floored when he came here today and he told me ‘ya’ll love me, I’m coming’ and that’s why he showed up.”
Another surprise was the big turn out from the community. Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Warden Kevin Hubbard said, “They just blew us away. We didn’t expect to have this many, but everybody is being patient.”
Before they even started cooking there were already 300 orders sold. Organizers say this is the biggest fish fry they’ve had in ten years. “I feel wonderful. It’s a blessing to be able to see the community come together to support me,” said Clay.
“Every morning, every evening, he has a smile on his face,” said Jones.
His open positivity and strong inner core, fueling him in his fight to be cancer free. “All I got to do is keep praying and keep striving to get better by the day,” said Clay.