CEREMONY HONORS SLAIN SIMI OFFICER.Byline: R.A. Hutchinson Daily News Staff Writer The anniversary of Michael Clark's death was remembered Sunday with tears and the dedication of a bronze plaque plaque (plak) 1. any patch or flat area. 2. a superficial, solid, elevated skin lesion. attachment plaques memorializing the slain Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. police officer. About 200 people gathered in front of the Simi Valley Police Station on Cochran Street to remember Clark, who was killed Aug. 4, 1995, while answering a call about an emotionally disturbed man. The Rotary Club of Simi Valley Sunrise Sunrise, city (1990 pop. 64,407), Broward co., SE Fla., a residential suburb 8 mi (13 km) W of Fort Lauderdale; inc. 1961 as Sunrise Golf Village. It is a major office and commercial center and the site of Sawgrass Mills, one of the largest malls in the United States. raised $800 to buy the relief plaques. One side shows Clark's badge and the other commemorates all officers who give their lives. Clark was Simi Valley's first officer killed in the line of duty In the Line of Duty may refer to:
``One time is too much for any of us,'' said Police Chief Randy Adams. ``It was one year ago today, the day that stole the innocence of our city. We found out, it can happen here.'' Clark, 28, had left the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Police Department's Devonshire Division just five months before his death, moving his wife, Jenifer, and son, Bayley, to a city regarded as among the nation's safest. When Clark arrived in the 3800 block of Aztec Court, he was shot in the chest with a semiautomatic weapon. Daniel Allen Tuffree Sr., 48, of Simi Valley was charged with Clark's death and is being tried for murder in Ventura. ``It's ironic that a year later, the person accused of killing him is just now standing trial. An officer is there, every day, to support Jenny and the Clark family,'' Adams said. Mayor Greg Stratton said Sunday's dedication should remind the public about the demands placed on police officers, especially when dealing with volatile family disputes, child custody The care, control, and maintenance of a child, which a court may award to one of the parents following a Divorce or separation proceeding. Under most circumstances, state laws provide that biological parents make all decisions that are involved in rearing their issues and crime in dangerous neighborhoods. ``They do this job because it's important to us and because it's a part of who they are,'' Stratton said. In an emotional moment, 16-year-old Jessica McCormick recited a poem she'd written in memory of Clark. The teen-ager knew him through Explorer Post No. 2910, which meets at the Simi Valley Police Station. ``I only met him a handful of times, but I was looking forward to getting to know him,'' McCormick said, before reading her poem ``What is a Police Officer?'' When she finished the poem, which described officers as brave, protective and comforting, McCormick tearfully tear·ful adj. 1. Filled with or accompanied by tears: tearful eyes; a tearful farewell. 2. So piteous as to excite tears: a tearful melodrama. gave a framed copy to Clark's widow. Sgt. Tony Anzolotti said the plaques, placed just off the sidewalk A Microsoft service that was launched in 1997 to provide online arts and entertainment guides on the Web for major cities worldwide. In 1999, Microsoft sold Sidewalk to Ticketmaster, which continued to provide guides, ticketing and other information to the MSN network. at the police station's main entrance, will encourage people to remember Clark's dedication to duty. ``This will serve as a reminder of the enduring image Michael left us,'' Anzolotti said. Richard Kunz, president of the Rotary Club, said the club sponsored the dedication service as a way to bring public closure to a sad year in Simi Valley history. The Rotary works closely with the police - Adams is a member and so is former Police Chief Paul Miller The name Paul Miller is shared by a number of people.
In the past year, Rotarians have raised about $20,000 for anti-drug programs and the department's K-9 unit. ``It was a year ago today that there was a moment in time that has touched us all in some way,'' he said. The dedication Sunday culminates a year of community support for the Clark family and the Police Department that started just after Clark's death. A trust fund for Clark's widow and child has reached almost $134,000 in donations. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos Photo: (1--color in SIMI only) Lanna Landry, left, and h er daughter Jenifer Clark attend the dedication ceremony in Simi Valley. (2) Jenifer Clark, surrounded by family and friends, views the bronze memorial plaque placed outside the Simi Valley Police Department The Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) is the police department of the city of Simi Valley, California. The department currently has over 120 sworn officers, and more than 65 support personnel[1]. The department has a patrol area that covers over 39 square miles. . (3--ran in SIMI only) The memorial plaques honor Officer Michael Clark Michael (or Mike) Clark can refer to the following people:
Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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