On January 10, 1973, the informant indicated that a robbery was planned for that night at the 3rd Avenue Pharmacy, 564 Third Avenue in Salt Lake City. It was further learned that these same individuals had robbed this business previously to obtain drugs and money.

On the night of January 10, 1973, officers followed a carload of suspects to the 3rd Avenue Pharmacy and observed as two people approached the business and donned ski masks. They approached the front door but abruptly left without completing their work. Information from the inside source indicated that they would try again the following night.

A surveillance was undertaken and the group was again followed to the location on 3rd Avenue. Two of the men approached the pharmacy, pulled on face masks and entered the business. Detective Clark, observing this activity, communicated to other officers that the robbery was in progress. Clark then crossed the street and positioned himself behind a large mailbox directly in front of the doorway of the business. Clark watched the robbery take place and as the offenders left with their booty, he challenged them and verbally announced his intention to arrest them.

Michael Mahoney, age 21, abruptly fired his 9mm pistol and struck Detective Clark in the head, killing him instantly. He then ran firing wildly with the pistol. The fusillade of gunfire from the other officers in the area killed Mahoney immediately. An accomplice, 17 year old Brian Johnson, entered a guilty plea to 2nd degree Murder but was committed to the State Hospital in lieu of prison.

Detective Percy Clark was a second-generation police officer. His fater, Lieutenant Harold W. Clark, had served 41 years on the Salt Lake City Police Department. Detective Clark was recognized by his charming smile, bright blue eyes and his weapon of choice, a single action Colt revolver.

He called them "gentlemen" and they killed him.

By J.L. Smith

He carried badge number 132 and a Frontier Model Colt which resembled a cannon. His associates called him "Perc," but the detectives who were closest to him called him "Dirty Harry" because to them he was indeed the policeman's policeman. His true name was Percy Lindsay Clark and he was 42 years old when he died. 

Percy Clark was appointed to the Salt Lake City Police Department on November 16, 1951. Through the years, he saw duty in the Patrol Division, Vice Control Division, Personnel and Training Division and finally, in 1966, he was transferred to the Detective Division where he remained until his death. 

What kind of a policeman was he? The best! Percy's personnel file contains several letters of commendation from Chiefs of Police dating back to W. Cleon Skousen. He hadn't missed a single day due to illness during the past three years. He was reliable. According to his commanding officer, Captain Donald B. Pearson, "Percy never backed up a fellow officer, he was always ahead." Captain Pearson went on to say, "If you ever wanted a person on your side, it would have to be Percy." 

Percy Clark was a good looking cop. He was 6 feet 3 inches tall, with a slender build. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. Some say he resembled Clint Eastwood, the actor who played the part of Dirty Harry in the movie of the same name. Fellow officers looked up to him, he was a cool head. He never worried about who got the credit and he never seemed to desire recognition. He just wanted to do a job. Did Percy Clark do his job? According to Chief of Police, J. Earl Jones, he certainly must have. Chief Jones said that Percy Clark left a "tremendous vacancy." Chief Jones asked, "How do you replace twenty-one years of service? Even if you could, how could anyone ever replace Percy Clark?" 

It was natural for Percy to become a police officer for Salt Lake City. His father was one. His father is Harold W. Clark, who retired as a Lieutenant in 1967. Harold served more than forty years with the department and much of his time was as a Detective. (Harold is the oldest living Utah Peace Officer President at this time - 31st and served from 1952/1953) Percy was married to Maurine Clark and they had seven children. At the time of his death, four of the children were married and living away from home. However, there are still three youngsters living at home, one is a little girl only four years old. Maurine Clark has been interested in law enforcement along with her husband. She is a past president of the Utah Peace Officers Auxiliary.

When and how did Percy Clark die? What was the last thing he had to say? Percy died at about 9:00 p.m., January 11, 1973. He was on stake-out with other officers from the Detective Division. A few minutes before 9:00 p.m., he observed two men enter the drug store he was watching and he saw them hold up the clerk inside.

As the two began to exit the drug store, Detective Percy Clark moved in close and took position by a mailbox. When they came out the door, he said, "Stop there, gentlemen, you are under arrest." They were the last words Percy Clark ever spoke. One of the two subjects was apparently holding a cocked automatic in his hand and he turned and fired at the same time. The bullet struck Percy in the right eyebrow and entered his brain. Death came quickly. 

After shooting Detective Clark, the suspect ran down the sidewalk and fired shots at one of the other detectives. Then two officers opened fire and killed the suspect. His body fell just a few feet away from Clark's. Why did Detective Percy Clark die? He died because he was a good cop doing his job in the same reliable manner he had so many times before.

Source: JL Smith

This page, along with the State Memorial at Utah's Capitol, is maintained by the Utah Peace Officers Association

in behalf of Utah's Fallen Officers - may we never forget their ultimate sacrifice

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