Once Overlooked Officer's Death Will Be Honored With Memorial Ceremony In San Mateo County

SAN MATEO, CA — A police officer who died in 1956 will be honored on the 69th anniversary of his death Tuesday afternoon in San Mateo.

The public is invited to join the San Mateo Police Department as they recognize the 69th anniversary of the line-of-duty death of Special Officer Steven E. Clark at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday during a memorial ceremony at Bay Meadows Park located at 301 E. 28th Ave.

Clark died on August 19, 1956. He was working at a stock car race at the former Bay Area Meadows Racetrack in San Mateo when an on-course accident occurred. Clark was struck and killed by another car while attempting to aid and protect citizens who had rushed onto the track. The SMPDlearned of his death five years ago.

Clark was posthumously honored with the Award of Valor by the California Reserve Peace Officers Association in 2024.

For years, the San Mateo Police Department believed that Sergeant Gordon Joinville, who was shot and killed on May 23, 1968, was the only officer to have died in the line of duty.