Scott Clark, a special agent with the Arkansas State Police and native of Gurdon, has been selected by the agency as the 2008 Trooper of the Year.
The announcement was made by the ASP earlier this month and detailed the actions of Clark and other officers in March of 2008 in Hope.
Clark is the son of Joy Anderson Clark and Kenny and Linda Clark, all of Gurdon. He is the grandson of the late Howard and Hazel Clark and the late Marvin and Hazel Anderson.
The information indicates that Clark, accompanied by Company C Sergeant John Bishop of Bradley and Hempstead County Deputy Sheriff Frank McJunkins “were each given awards for their valor and selfless independent acts of bravery during an attack by gunfire” during the March 12, 2008, incident near Hope. According to the ASP press release, Clark and the other officers had been in the midst of investigating a murder that had occurred that day. Clark and McJunkins had entered a mobile home in the course of that investigation. A man later identified as the murder suspect in question fired at Clark and McJunkins who were inside the house. Clark was shot during the incident and he and McJunkins each returned fire with Bishop coming to the aid of the two officers.
Clark, wounded, managed to reach his car where he retrieved a second firearm. According to the report, Clark was then directed by other officers to be transported to the hospital.
The ASP release indicates that Company C commander Lieutenant Glenn Sligh cited Clark’s “bravery and perseverance under fire and his willingness to return o the scene after being wounded to protect his fellow officers…”
The release states that Clark remains active as an ASP investigator in southwest Arkansas.
McJunkins was awarded the ASP’s Distinguished Service Award “for his assisting role in a March 12, 2008, shoot-out between law enforcement officers.”
