Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20220818-043
Thursday, August 18, 2022

The San Mateo Police Department Remembers the Service and Sacrifice of Officer Stephen Clark 

The San Mateo Police Department will gather on August 19, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. for a formal memorial service for Special Officer Stephen Clark at Bay Meadows Park 

San Mateo, CA – On Friday August 19, 2022,  the San Mateo Police Department will honor the memory of Special Officer Stephen Clark with its first annual memorial service.  Officer Clark died in the line of duty and Friday will mark the 66th anniversary of his passing. 

On August 19, 1956, over thirty thousand spectators gathered at Bay Meadows Race Track in San Mateo to watch a NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division Race. With slightly less than ten laps left in the 250-lap race, a collision occurred at the track’s fence at the south turn of the track. Eager to learn the fate of those involved in the crash, several members of the large crowd rushed towards the scene of the crash. To help ensure the safety of the crowd, Officer Clark directed a fellow officer to keep spectators from entering the track. Clark told his fellow officer, “You take the outside fence to keep those people away from the track, and I’ll take the inside.” Those were the last words Officer Clark ever spoke. When he walked across the track to render aid to those involved in the crash, another stock car struck him. Tragically, Officer Clark succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Mills Peninsula Hospital.  Clark’s death is recognized as the first NASCAR Cup series non-driver fatality. 

That day’s race was the final time that the Bay Meadows dirt track,  better known as a horse track, was used for a NASCAR Grand National event. Many of the drivers said that visibility was extremely limited because of the large amounts of dirt that continuously flew on their windshields. The driver who struck Clark stated his only line of sight came from the small area on his windshield he was able to reach to wipe clean with his left hand. The driver only realized Officer Clark was there when he struck him. 

Chief Ed Barberini emphasized the significance of Clark’s sacrifice and the importance of recognizing at this time. “Honoring Officer Stephen Clark’s service to our community and his sacrifice while trying to save others is long overdue.  We are all humbled by the actions he took sixty years ago.  He willingly placed himself in an extreme peril to save those he had taken a solemn oath to protect.  While his actions on August 19, 1956, epitomize the dedication and commitment of all members of our Department, we remain saddened by his loss will always be in his debt.  We embrace the opportunity to recognize Officer Clark’s heroism and selflessness and will do so on each anniversary of his death,” said Chief Barberini. 

Stephen Clark was born in County Meath in Ireland. He served the City of San Mateo for fifteen years at the Corporation Yard. For nine of his fifteen years with the City, Clark served as a Reserve Police Officer with the San Mateo Police Department. At the time of his passing, he held the position of Sweeper Lead Man. He worked in a 24-hour on call capacity and rendered “extraordinary services” many times during emergencies throughout his years of service. He was 46 years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife and brother. Officer Clark was laid to rest with full police honors at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, CA., and his name is on San Mateo County’s Fallen Officers Memorial Plaque. 

MEDIA CONTACT
Alison Gilmore
Public Information Officer | Office of the Chief
City of San Mateo Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94403
650-522-7626 | [email protected]
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