Possible release of cop’s murderer upsets SVPD




Officer Michael Clark Courtesy of SVPD

Officer Michael Clark Courtesy of SVPD

The man who shot and killed Michael Clark, Simi Valley’s only police officer to die in the line of duty, is up for parole next month.

Daniel Tuffree, 73, is scheduled to go before the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Board of Parole Hearings on March 10, where he can make the appeal to be released early for parole.

The Ventura County district attorney’s office will argue against his release on behalf of Clark’s family and the Simi Valley Police Department. Tuffree will likely be represented by a state-appointed attorney.

Under the terms of his original sentencing for Clark’s murder and the attempted murder of two other officers, Tuffree shouldn’t have been eligible for parole until at least 2046 at the age of 99. Tuffree was ordered to first serve 29 years for attempted murder and for using a firearm, according to the Los Angeles Times. Once 85% of that sentence was served—or 25 years—he would begin the sentence of 25 years to life for killing Clark.

“This isn’t only too soon but something that shouldn’t be happening, in my opinion,” Police Chief David Livingstone said, adding he learned of the parole hearing from Jenifer Clark, Michael’s widow.

“Jenifer told me she’s pretty upset by all this and it’s causing her a lot of anxiety and pain, which is understandable because the family thought they had closure with the person responsible in jail and now there’s a possibility that he could walk.”

Livingstone was a member of the SWAT team when Clark was killed Aug. 4, 1995. On the day of the shooting, the two had swapped patrol cars during shift change.

Clark, 28, was responding to a “check the welfare” call at Tuffree’s home when Tuffree opened fire.

For 20 minutes, officers tried to subdue Tuffree and render aid to Clark, who had been shot multiple times and was bleeding out, Livingstone said.

Anthony Anzilotti, a retired Simi police commander, said he still remembers the August day 26 years ago when Clark died.

During the incident, Clark was talking with Tuffree through a window in the backyard and his speech sounded slurred, said Anzilotti, who was a sergeant at the time. This was in line with information that Tuffree had been taking Valium and his request for more had been declined.

“I heard Officer Clark ask to see his hands and then the last thing he said was, ‘He has a gun,’” Anzilotti recalled. “That’s when all hell literally broke loose.”

Anzilotti and fellow officer Mike Pierce attempted to save Clark but were held back by Tuffree’s gunfire.

In total, 60 shots were fired between Tuffree and police. Anzilotti said once Clark was rescued, SWAT stayed on scene for another five hours before finally entering the residence and taking Tuffree into custody.

“My head is spinning from things I’ll never forget and it’s something I’ll carry with me the rest of my life,” Anzilotti said, adding he’s got a photo of Clark in his office as a tribute to the man who saved his life by standing his ground in a gunfight.

“It’s been more than 25 years now and I still don’t know how I was able to go to work for 20 years after that. In some ways (Clark’s death) made me stronger tactically and mentally, but it also left scars that will always be there.”

The traumatic incident left a deep scar on the department and the community as a whole, Livingstone said. That’s why every year the community marks the anniversary of Clark’s sacrifice with a solemn service, lowering flags to half-staff.

Clark was with SVPD about four months when the incident occurred, having transferred from the Los Angeles Police Department. He was a personable, positive guy with a great sense of humor and a great addition to SVPD, Livingstone said.

“Michael just wanted to improve his life and raise his family in a safer, quiet place,” he said, adding that the Clarks had just welcomed their son, Bayley.

Livingstone said he’s going to write a letter of opposition because he has serious concerns about someone who murdered a cop being released, especially when that person has never shown remorse or apologized for a crime he admitted to.

“You’d like to believe people change but this isn’t someone who was ever sorry, so it makes me wonder what’s changed,” he said.

Tuffree has a violent history, police said. Anzilotti said he was known to throw wine bottles over the fence and allegedly had drug problems.

SVPD had investigated Tuffree the same year Clark was killed because he was allegedly shooting at motorists passing his backyard, which was adjacent to E. Los Angeles Avenue, Livingstone said. Ultimately, there wasn’t enough evidence to file charges so the firearm police had taken during that investigation was returned.

It turned out to be the same weapon that later killed Clark.

Anzilotti said he never expected Tuffree to be freed because he “doesn’t deserve to breathe free air again.”

“I’ll do everything I can to help make sure that doesn’t happen,” the retired commander said.

Those wishing to submit letters to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office can do so online at govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail

Letters can also be mailed directly to the governor’s office at 1303 10th Street, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814 or to the parole board at P.O. Box 4036, Sacramento, CA 95812-4036.

Any correspondence must include the following: Daniel Allen Tuffree, CDCR# K45399.