Sierra County Sheriff's Department, New Mexico
End of Watch Thursday, March 4, 1999
Add to My HeroesKelly Fay Clark
Deputy Sheriff Kelly Clark was shot and killed with her own weapon by an inmate she was transporting to prison.
While driving west on Interstate 40, about 10 miles from Grants, the suspect managed to squeeze through the sliding Plexiglas window in the divider between the front and back of the cruiser and grab Deputy Clark's weapon. During the ensuing struggle, the suspect gained control of her weapon and shot her twice in the head with it. The cruiser then struck a truck and crashed, at which time the suspect fled and carjacked another vehicle.
The suspect was arrested shortly afterward when he stopped to make a phone call at a gas station. He was still handcuffed and carrying Deputy Clark's weapon. The suspect was charged with an open count of murder, two counts of assault with intent to commit a violent felony, escape, and disarming a peace officer. He was convicted and sentenced to life plus 60 years in prison.
Deputy Clark had served with the Sierra County Sheriff's Department for eight years. She was survived by a teen-age daughter.
Bio
- Age 39
- Tour 8 years
- Badge 12
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 42 ReflectionsThe original incident happened on I-40, Cibola County, mile marker 90. New Mexico State Police were first to the scene. However, the suspect had already carjacked a passing vehicle and fled eastbound. NMSP Officer Chad Pierce and myself pursued the carjacked vehicle. It was later stopped in Albuquerque and the suspect arrested.
Sergeant Richard Doty
District 6-Grants, New Mexico State Police
March 4, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024