Full Notification

During National Police Week, Special Reserve Officer Steven E. Clark’s line of duty death from 1956 was officially recognized and his name was added to the national Memorial Wall.
 
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, May 15, 2025. As part of National Police Week (May 11 – 17), we are honored to have a few Command Staff members present in Washington, D.C., to participate in the week’s events. Of note, today, May 15th, marks Peace Officers Memorial Day, as designated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962.

Having had an officer killed in the line of duty, we recognize this date annually, and for decades, the San Mateo Police Department believed we had only suffered one tragic loss; the loss of Sergeant Gordon Joinville on May 23, 1968, when he was tragically shot and killed.
However, approximately 5 years ago, we learned of an earlier line of duty death involving San Mateo Special Reserve Officer Stephen E. Clark (aka Steven E. Clark).

It was learned Reserve Officer Clark was killed on August 19, 1956, while working a stock car race at the former Bay Meadows Racetrack. During an on-course accident, he attempted to render aid and protect citizens who rushed the track. While doing so, he was struck and killed by another vehicle. Sadly, and for reasons still unknown, our agency was unaware of his death for many years. But, as soon as we learned of it, we took steps to honor his memory - just as we have Sgt. Joinville and correct this oversight.

In 2024, Off. Clark was posthumously given the Award of Valor by the California Reserve Peace Officers Association (CRPOA), and this year, we are grateful to announce that Special Reserve Officer Steven E. Clark’s name was posthumously etched into the Memorial Wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C., where he is now rightfully recognized for the sacrifice he made in service to the San Mateo community, and now joins Sgt. Joinville with this honor.

We are extremely thankful that Police Chief Ed Barberini, Captain Dave Peruzzaro, Lieutenant Matt Earnshaw, and members of our Honor Guard were able to make the trip and be there for the ceremony; and to capture the reading of Off. Clark’s name during the Roll Call of Heroes, dedicated during the Annual Candlelight Vigil, as part of the National Police Week events.

Aside from Peace Officers Memorial Day, our agency also recognizes both heroes on the day of their deaths with both personal and public memorials. Blue light poles have been installed at the location of each of their deaths and the blue lights shine 24/7 in honor of their sacrifice. Off. Clark’s light is posted at Bay Meadows Park on 28^th Avenue and Sgt. Joinville’s is posted at 5^th Avenue and S. Claremont Street at the rear of Kiku Crossing.

On May 23^rd, we will host a brief public memorial for Sgt. Joinville at Joinville Park, and in August, we will host our memorial for Off. Clark. For today, we ask our community to remember both heroes who died serving the San Mateo community, and for that, we should be ever grateful. Our agency hopes to never suffer another line of duty death.

To view the tribute video from the event, please visit YouTube here: https://youtu.be/KUqMcPsSAQY

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