Honoring Lives: Scholarship Established in Memory of Victim from Speedway Burger Chef Tragedy

INDIANAPOLIS — The unsolved murders from 1978 at a Speedway Burger Chef have lingered for decades, evolving into one of the most significant enigmas in our state. Today, one of the victims is being commemorated in a unique manner.

At just sixteen years old, Daniel Davis was a student at Decatur Central High School when his life was cut short. Two current DCHS educators discovered that Daniel had a deep enthusiasm for photography. This realization inspired them to create a photography scholarship in his honor at the school.

Teachers Jason Schanzel and Robert Bowling led the initiative to establish the fund. 

“I suggested, ‘He was a passionate photographer; what if we establish a scholarship in his honor, as they aimed to do in his obituary?'” Bowling recounted. “I thought, ‘Let’s bring this idea to life; it’s a great way to turn something tragic into something positive.'”

Daniel was taken and killed alongside three other workers from the restaurant. The savage and elusive killings have been a topic of discussion for many years. Schanzel and Bowling are hopeful that the scholarship will facilitate a new conversation.

“It’s disheartening that every instance involving the Burger Chef seems to be negative, particularly referring to the murder itself. For once, we can share a story about the Burger Chef that reflects something positive,” Bowling expressed.

Prior to initiating the scholarship, the teachers consulted with Daniel’s mother, Norma, who shared insights about her son.

“While he was here, he consistently made the honor roll. He had an intense passion for photography, so much so that he set up his own darkroom in the basement,” Bowling remarked. “His ambition was to join the Air Force. He had a sibling serving in the military. His dream was to enlist in the Air Force and follow his passion for photography.”

The teachers mentioned that Daniel’s mother was so thrilled about the college scholarship fund that she contributed sufficient funds for the first year’s expenses.

“It’s a remarkable experience to honor someone who never had the opportunity to live past the age of 16 and declare, ‘This individual made a difference, they had an impact in their time here,'” Schanzel expressed.

The $1,000 college scholarship will be awarded to a senior student pursuing photography. To date, they have raised enough to sustain the scholarship for four years.

“It tugs at your heart to realize that people genuinely care,” Schanzel stated.

Although Daniel may not have roamed those specific corridors at Decatur Central, both Schanzel and Bowling emphasized that he is an integral part of the legacy, and they aspire for this scholarship to remind students, both past and present, that “once a Hawk, always a Hawk.”

“He will remain 16 years old forever, and hopefully, we can continue to cherish his memory,” Schanzel commented.

They hope to extend the scholarship’s funding beyond the four-year mark. 

Discover more about how you can contribute to the scholarship fund by clicking here.