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  • Duncan Police Officer Audrey Clark listens as Chief Dan Ford praises her for the compassion she shows toward children and her dedication as an officer, during Clark’s retirement reception Thursday. Toni Hopper

    A good one retires
October 17, 2009

Duncan Police Officer Audrey Clark retires

Stories Shared Reveal Compassionate, Funny Side

Toni Hopper

DUNCAN — Duncan Police Officer Audrey Clark, described as the officer with a heart of gold, received an artful ice statue bearing fresh-baked donuts at her retirement reception Thursday.

It was standing room only as Clark’s family, fellow officers, former officers, friends and even people whose lives she’s saved gathered in the city council chambers to honor her.

“She demonstrates what a city is proud to have in an officer, known as ‘that singing officer.’ Her character is something proud to have,” said Duncan Mayor Gene Brown.

It was only one of many, many comments shared by those attending Clark’s party.

The ice sculpture of a police officer bearing a tray of donuts was created by one of Clark’s dearest friends, Maggie Anderson, who termed Clark as “someone with a heart of gold.”

The reception began with Duncan Police Chief Dan Ford sharing his personal history of Clark and how she joined the force. He said she was a radio person, to which she quickly corrected him — “I was a communicative assistant,” she said. To that, everyone laughed.

“She’s always helping people and happy and laughing,” Ford said.

“She’s touched, and I’m going to go, not just hundreds, but 1,000s of children’s lives, not just the public, but children.”

Clark is best known for her role as DARE officer, visiting elementary schools throughout Stephens County to encourage children to make the right choices in their lives and avoid drugs and wrong choices. One of her former DARE students even stood up during the reception to offer a thank you to Clark for helping her through difficult times.

And when Clark spoke of the DARE program, she became a little choked up. She told everyone that she was concerned about its status and during her visits to area schools last week, she told teachers there would not be a DARE program any longer. Clark is the only trained officer qualified to teach the program. She said that the parents and teachers are going to get funding to continue the program. Clark will continue to teach it and will also serve as a Duncan reserve officer.

And while a few of the stories were emotional, many more were light-hearted and told tales of Clark, including Duncan Lt. Jimmy Williams’ story of Clark’s hobby visiting garage sales.

One of the most interesting stories shared of Clark was that she was in the Lawton Police Academy #1. Clark joined the Duncan force as a dispatcher in 1984. A year later, she started on the patrol beat. Two former fellow Duncan officers who first began their careers about the same time that Clark had were also at the reception.

Les Calger and Chris Lang are both now with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Calger talked of how he had taken Clark to the gun range for her first time to shoot a revolver.

“She shot that just like you had poked a hole through the center,” he said.

Clark’s younger brother, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Stan McConnell, also was there. He credited his sister for getting him involved in law enforcement.

There was also laughter when Clark’s husband of 17-years, Charles, stood up to speak.

“This is the first time she’s let me speak,” he said. At that, Clark pointed at an imaginary watch on her wrist and gave him a sly smile.

The Fraternal Order of Police gave Clark a watch and she received a plaque for her 25-years of service.

Clark did say during the reception that as she told people of her retirement, they’d make two remarks — “you’re too young” and “what are you going to do?”

Clark said Saturday she is enjoying her retirement, the wide open spaces of Tatum, and will continue to sing. She’s a member of the Country Music Singers Association, which performs the second Saturday of each month in Comanche.

She recently won first place in the local competition, and second in the state. She has a chance to compete nationally at the Pigeon Forge, Tenn. event.

Those who enjoy listening to Clark sing can attend the CMSA monthly performance.

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