City proposes to rename street after fallen Simi officer
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers NAME CHANGE- The City Council this week proposed changing the name of Civic Center Way to honor Officer Michael Clark, the first Simi police officer killed in the line of duty. City proposes to rename

In remembrance of the only Simi Valley police officer to be killed in the line of duty, the City Council this week proposed changing the name of Civic Center Way to a designation honoring Officer Michael Clark.

The 28-year-old Clark, who had been with the Simi Valley Police Department for only five months at the time of the incident, was fatally shot on Aug. 4, 1995, while checking on the welfare of a suicidal Simi man.

Capt. John McGinty, on behalf of the police department, thanked the City Council on Monday for showing its support to the department by considering the name change.

"The events surrounding Officer Michael Clark's death in August of '95 serve as a reminder to all of us who wear the uniform that tragedies can happen anywhere in this profession," McGinty said. "I was one of (Clark's) training officers, and, like so many other officers, I am able to recall where I was and what I was doing when I got the news of his tragic death. It's not something we forget."

Civic Center Way, currently a vehicular entrance to the Simi Valley Police Department on Alamo Street, is expected to become the future main entrance to city hall after a proposed expansion of the facility is completed.

Mayor Paul Miller suggested changing the street name during a February meeting.

City staff members recommended the City Council consider changing the street name to Michael Clark Drive or Michael Clark Memorial Drive.

Councilmember Barbra Williamson suggested adding Clark's title to the sign.

"For many of us in our community who have lived here for a while, we know and recognize the name of Michael Clark," Williamson said. "But certainly people come to our community who wouldn't know what the name is. . . . I think we should have 'Officer Michael Clark' because it gives definition to who he was and what he did in our community."

Councilmember Steve Sojka, whose father, former Police Chief Robert J. Sojka, was honored with the naming of Sojka Drive in the 1980s, said he thinks the name change sends a positive message to the department and to Clark's family.

"I was 15 years old when I remember going to the dedication of the street named after my father, and I realize that's a big part of the reason I'm here today," Sojka said. "I realized at that time that this community wraps its arms around its citizens when there's a need. . . . It inspired me to want to give back to this community."

City staff will consider the options for the naming of the street, keeping in mind that the name must fit on a sign and be legible to drivers.

After the various alternatives are designed, they will be forwarded to City Manager Mike Sedell for review.