ST. LOUIS – Long-time FOX 2 investigative reporter Elliott Davis is leaving the newsroom on Aug. 2 after 45 years. Shirley Washington sat down with Davis for a one-on-one interview surrounding his retirement as well as the legacy he has built throughout his career.
Elliott posted on Facebook July 1 that his time as the face of “You Paid For It” was coming to an end. The post garnered a large amount of attention, with over 11,000 reactions and more than 4,000 comments.
“You never know what kind of reaction it’s going to be. I figured maybe a few people would react and respond, but it’s humbling to know that people really appreciated what you were trying to do,” Davis said. “I was just gratified to see that response.”
Mr. “You Paid For It”
You Paid For It began over 30 years ago when the idea was brought to Davis and his photographer at the time, Larry Washington, by the news director.
While the beat has brought many positive solutions for citizens, it has also come with several dangerous situations, including his photographer, Washington, being shot.
The pair was working on a story regarding a towing company in Wellston. Davis was recording a stand-up when gunshots rang out and Washington came around and said, “I’m shot.”
“(Larry) jumps in the driver seat. I want to get in the driver’s seat and drive, obviously because he’s shot. He tells me, ‘Well, get the tripod!’ and I’m thinking, ‘You know what? I’m going to get shot out here trying to get the company tripod,'” he said. “He finally pulled off and let me drive…when you look at the prospect of not only your cameraman but your best friend dying on you…that was a bad day.”
Washington turned out to be okay, but it remains the toughest story Davis recalls. Despite the bad day, it drove his passion for helping people even further.
Since then, he has gone on to cover an abundant amount of stories aiding residents, citizens, and homeless communities, along with reporting on inside government officials and decisions.
Roots in St. Louis
Elliott grew up near the Pruitt-Igoe public housing development. He says his neighborhood and high school, Vashon High School, were some of the roughest areas in St. Louis.
“Mom worked three jobs; one of them was a maid for a family in Ladue, and just got through eighth grade. But she did everything she could to give her son a fighting chance at life,” he said. “I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I knew I wanted to get as far away from that neighborhood as I could.”
He went on to study law at Cornell University, only to realize that was not the path for him. Davis bounced from jobs before moving back in with his mom for two years, when he made his move to the television industry.
Davis says that he walked into FOX 2 with no experience. The news director allowed him to shadow other reporters for a while. He began connecting with the community on his own and stumbled upon finding his first series, “Sex on a Stroll” about prostitution. After the five-part series, he was granted a full-time job of reporting.
“A number of stories I do impact poor people… and so, people finding out that I came from the same background, it made it easier for me to go into the projects and interview people,” Davis said. “I think it made it easier because people know that you came from a poor background and I embrace that. I’m not there now, but I embrace that.”
Closing one door, opening another
“You don’t want to stay at the party too long,” Davis said of choosing now as the time to retire. “You want to leave when all these factors are at a plus…I looked at it and said, ‘You know what, this is a good time to go.'”
While one chapter of his life is coming to an end, he already has plans for the new chapter he is about to embrace: being a first-time grandpa. His daughter, Ava, welcomed her daughter, Rose, into the world in December.
As they live in Atlanta, he knew he wanted to spend more time with them as Rose continues to grow.
“I didn’t want to still be working another year or two, and then look around and she’s three years old,” he said. “I want to kind of be there and be a part of the growing-up process.”
Throughout the past 45 years, Elliott has grown into one of the most prominent figures within St. Louis’ news industry. Many have thanked him for the work he has done in the city, and he thanks them right back.
“This franchise couldn’t have made it over 30 years without support from the viewers, and they embraced it the whole time…God has been on my side directing my steps, and I just feel so blessed,” he said.
After all, he paid for it.
