Idaho Medal of Honor Recipient
May 18, 2012
Officer Dennis Clark
Jerome Police Department

On February 7, 2011, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Jerome Police Officer Dennis Clark saw a suspect, whom he knew to have a suspended license, driving a vehicle. Officer Clark initiated a traffic stop; however, the suspect refused to stop and the incident turned into a high-speed pursuit. At one point, the suspect stopped in a driveway and fired a shotgun at Officer Clark, hitting Officer Clark in the eye. Officer Clark ducked towards the passenger seat and was unable to reach his firearm. He hit the accelerator so his car would ram into the back of the suspect’s vehicle, and was then able to fire at the suspect who got back into his car and continued to flee. Despite his injury, Officer Clark continued the pursuit, knowing that the suspect now posed a deadly threat. He knew he was bleeding and he was becoming light headed. Not knowing how long he could continue the pursuit, and fearing for the safety of others, Officer Clark rammed the suspect’s vehicle and forced the suspect off the road. Other officers arrived on the scene and arrested the suspect. As a result of his injuries, Officer Clark lost sight in his left eye.

Officer Clark’s extraordinary heroism and intrepidity, at the cost of his sight in one eye, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the Jerome Police Department and of Idaho law enforcement officers and reflect great credit upon himself.

Read Officer Dennis Clark’s Official Medal of Honor Citation >>>