Lt. David G. Clark - Pilot, negotiator and humanitarian-led the Delaware State Police Aviation section on a path of dramatic growth and efficiency in the 1990s. The resourceful, indefatigable section commander expanded the unit's aircraft fleet and developed ground facilities to assure emergency service statewide. He increased to 10 the number of troopers trained as EMT-Paramedics, he co-authored the aero¬-medical regulations adopted by the State.
Under Lt. Clark's command, the section expanded its helicopter fleet to four, including three 407 Bells-the first in the nation to enter medical emergency service. When the State acquired an Aero Commander free from the federal government, Clark refurbished the aircraft without any special appropriations. He acquired a surplus Beechcraft King Air from the Air Force and, at $117,000 in overhaul costs, obtained an FAA certificate, resulting in a book value of more than $l million. The plane, used mainly for prisoner extradition, saved the State $50,000 in its first nine months.
Lt. Clark acquired for $100,000 a hangar at Georgetown that was facing foreclosure. Today it is a $400,000 asset. He built a hangar at Summit Airport, transferring the unit's upstate base from rented facilities. He did this at no added cost to the state.
Clark joined the State Police in 1978 as a trooper. A Wilmington College graduate with a BS in criminal justice, he was transferred in 1982 to Criminal Investigations. He was assigned to Aviation in 1984 as a pilot, promoted to deputy commander in 1991, and commander in 1994.
Lt. Clark retired in 1999 for a career in the airlines. Today with more than 9,000 hours, he captains Hawker 800 jets for Rosemore Aviation, Baltimore. He and his wife Donna live in Newark. They have three children: David, Andy and Lauren.
