Letter to the Editor: Wheaton Police Chief Clark
October 11, 2017
What comes to your mind when you hear “serve and protect”? Law enforcement is constantly receiving a bad rap. Protesters slamming law enforcement, criminals with no regard for law, the list goes on. Even children are taught to disrespect the law by the parents who themselves break the law. But still every day our law enforcement officers get up, get dressed, put that badge and gun on and go out their door leaving their family, not knowing what the day/night will bring.
In 1992, my father Clinton R. Clark decided he wanted to go into law enforcement, it had been a dream he always wanted to do. Upon completion of the Police Academy, he became a reserve deputy for Barry County. He was so honored to work with the department and the county he had grown up in.
Sadly, in November of 1996, my father was faced with one of the most horrifying cases that would forever impact his life, and the lives of his brother officers. His brother officer, Christopher Castetter, a deputy of Barry County, had been shot while responding to a domestic dispute.
I think we all remember that case. I remember all the chaos and all the crying and the pain. That was the first time I had ever seen my father cry. Our whole county, town and law enforcement family was devastated.
Little did I know, my father, alongside Chief McCracken, was the arresting officer that took down the man who took the life of their friend and comrade.
Later, my father became a key witness in that case: Missouri vs. Clayton, and Clayton was sentenced to death for the crime. Then, dad began his career with the City of Wheaton. Working days at Exeter School as the director of maintenance and security, then off to Wheaton to work nights there. When my father started at Wheaton, he was told by people it was a rough and rowdy town, and that no law enforcement would ever be able to tame the town. But my father had a mission to protect and serve the great people of that town.
As Chief of Police little did he know what he would be getting into. Multiple drug busts, arrests, traffic tickets, etc., but with consistent presence soon showed the town of Wheaton that he was there to stay. Throughout the years, my father grew to love his career and spent many selfless nights away from family and special family events to dedicate himself to the job he loved so much.
When he retired from the Exeter School and went full time for the City of Wheaton, another case impacted not only his life but the lives of Stella, Missouri, residents. Missouri vs. Collings drew media, FBI, and numerous law enforcement to the City of Wheaton. This case hit hard, but my father along with all the departments involved never gave up, and with the compassion and dedication my father had, it soon came to an end.
Many years later, and a lot of trips to Rolla, Missouri, grueling testimony as key witness again, my father helped to put another criminal behind bars and on death row. It was the second time I ever saw my father cry and suffer for such a innocent young life taken. I thought then my father is more our hero than ever.
Throughout the rest of his career at Wheaton, there has still been the occasional drug bust, disputes, you know, the usual things law enforcement officers are made to deal with every day. But every day, no matter the weather, no matter how he was feeling, he always was there. Protect and Serve was his job and he made sure that was exactly what he did. He always wore his badge proudly.
My father had a stroke in August of this year. Due to the stroke, he was forced to retire from a career that he loved so much. When you think retirement, you think monthly pension, golf courses, retreats and the occasional out of town trip. But that isn’t the case here. For my father, there is no retirement pension, no nothing. Just stress and worry. His career was quickly ended. No one can ever prepare for a major health change. If the stroke would have never happened, my father would still be doing the job he loves.
Now, we see him suffer yet again, this time at the hands of the city government. I would like to know how our city leaders sleep at night knowing there is no pension for our police officers.
We all need to become aware of this current situation. Cities who have police departments should offer retirement packages to their officers. I know that on a couple of occasions, the retirement package offers had been presented to the city government, and each time shot down.
Why wouldn’t they want to give back to the officers who have worked many years protecting them? Why turn them away as if they never mattered in the first place?
In the previous months, I have contacted the Governor, our senator Clare McCaskill, to try and get answers. And it all comes back to “It’s a city government matter, State doesn’t get involved”.
I am truly heartbroken. My trust and respect for our local officials is shattered. I would like to make all people aware of this situation, not just the police departments run by city government. That way, no one else will be devastated like my father has been. Was his 26 years of service just a waste?
Thank you for your time and letting me express my concern. God bless.
- Terri J. Clark-Johnson
What comes to your mind when you hear “serve and protect”? Law enforcement is constantly receiving a bad rap. Protesters slamming law enforcement, criminals with no regard for law, the list goes on. Even children are taught to disrespect the law by the parents who themselves break the law. But still every day our law enforcement officers get up, get dressed, put that badge and gun on and go out their door leaving their family, not knowing what the day/night will bring.
In 1992, my father Clinton R. Clark decided he wanted to go into law enforcement, it had been a dream he always wanted to do. Upon completion of the Police Academy, he became a reserve deputy for Barry County. He was so honored to work with the department and the county he had grown up in.
Sadly, in November of 1996, my father was faced with one of the most horrifying cases that would forever impact his life, and the lives of his brother officers. His brother officer, Christopher Castetter, a deputy of Barry County, had been shot while responding to a domestic dispute.
I think we all remember that case. I remember all the chaos and all the crying and the pain. That was the first time I had ever seen my father cry. Our whole county, town and law enforcement family was devastated.
Little did I know, my father, alongside Chief McCracken, was the arresting officer that took down the man who took the life of their friend and comrade.
Later, my father became a key witness in that case: Missouri vs. Clayton, and Clayton was sentenced to death for the crime. Then, dad began his career with the City of Wheaton. Working days at Exeter School as the director of maintenance and security, then off to Wheaton to work nights there. When my father started at Wheaton, he was told by people it was a rough and rowdy town, and that no law enforcement would ever be able to tame the town. But my father had a mission to protect and serve the great people of that town.
As Chief of Police little did he know what he would be getting into. Multiple drug busts, arrests, traffic tickets, etc., but with consistent presence soon showed the town of Wheaton that he was there to stay. Throughout the years, my father grew to love his career and spent many selfless nights away from family and special family events to dedicate himself to the job he loved so much.
When he retired from the Exeter School and went full time for the City of Wheaton, another case impacted not only his life but the lives of Stella, Missouri, residents. Missouri vs. Collings drew media, FBI, and numerous law enforcement to the City of Wheaton. This case hit hard, but my father along with all the departments involved never gave up, and with the compassion and dedication my father had, it soon came to an end.
Many years later, and a lot of trips to Rolla, Missouri, grueling testimony as key witness again, my father helped to put another criminal behind bars and on death row. It was the second time I ever saw my father cry and suffer for such a innocent young life taken. I thought then my father is more our hero than ever.
Throughout the rest of his career at Wheaton, there has still been the occasional drug bust, disputes, you know, the usual things law enforcement officers are made to deal with every day. But every day, no matter the weather, no matter how he was feeling, he always was there. Protect and Serve was his job and he made sure that was exactly what he did. He always wore his badge proudly.
My father had a stroke in August of this year. Due to the stroke, he was forced to retire from a career that he loved so much. When you think retirement, you think monthly pension, golf courses, retreats and the occasional out of town trip. But that isn’t the case here. For my father, there is no retirement pension, no nothing. Just stress and worry. His career was quickly ended. No one can ever prepare for a major health change. If the stroke would have never happened, my father would still be doing the job he loves.
Now, we see him suffer yet again, this time at the hands of the city government. I would like to know how our city leaders sleep at night knowing there is no pension for our police officers.
We all need to become aware of this current situation. Cities who have police departments should offer retirement packages to their officers. I know that on a couple of occasions, the retirement package offers had been presented to the city government, and each time shot down.
Why wouldn’t they want to give back to the officers who have worked many years protecting them? Why turn them away as if they never mattered in the first place?
In the previous months, I have contacted the Governor, our senator Clare McCaskill, to try and get answers. And it all comes back to “It’s a city government matter, State doesn’t get involved”.
I am truly heartbroken. My trust and respect for our local officials is shattered. I would like to make all people aware of this situation, not just the police departments run by city government. That way, no one else will be devastated like my father has been. Was his 26 years of service just a waste?
Thank you for your time and letting me express my concern. God bless.
- Terri J. Clark-Johnson
Disclaimer:
The editor of the Barry County Advertiser reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Letters to the Editor reflect the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of the Barry County Advertiser or its staff. Email your letters to editor@4bca.com
The editor of the Barry County Advertiser reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Letters to the Editor reflect the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of the Barry County Advertiser or its staff. Email your letters to editor@4bca.com
