Hilliard Division of Police names new deputy chief from within ranks

In his new role as deputy chief of the Hilliard Division of Police, Ron Clark said his most important task will be to help the division’s other leaders become the next to step up.

Clark, 53, was sworn in July 5 as deputy chief, succeeding Michael Woods, the deputy chief who ascended to chief in May upon the retirement of Chief Eric Grile.

“I always give back to the division (and) will work to help someone else get to where I am today,” said Clark, who joined the Hilliard Division of Police as an auxiliary officer in August of 1991.

Woods and Clark first crossed paths nearly a quarter-century ago, when neither likely imagined they would one day work at the same department as a chief and deputy chief.

Woods learned about the encounter in researching Clark's service record and discovered that March 8, 1998, Clark, as a patrol officer, was the first Hilliard officer to respond to a crossover crash on Interstate 270 South.

Woods, an off-duty Columbus police sergeant traveling with his wife that day, witnessed a vehicle north on I-270 crossover into the southbound lanes, with the car ending upside down on I-270 South.

It was later determined the driver, whose 5-year-old son was in the car, had suffered a heart attack. Woods and other civilians treated the man as Clark and other officers and medics arrived, Woods said.

The man recovered.

Clark has no family members in law enforcement, but rather was inspired to become a police officer because of his experience as a military police officer in the U.S. Army Reserve during the first Gulf War.

“That experience really directed my focus on being a police officer,” said Clark, a 1986 graduate of Briggs High School, in Columbus.

Clark served in the U.S. Army from 1992-1994.

He joined the Hilliard Division of Police as a full-time officer in June of 1994.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2002 and lieutenant in 2012.

Woods and Grile, as well as Robert Fisher, who served as chief and deputy chief before Grile, each were hired from outside the department, but this time, Woods looked within it.

Woods said experience, such as that Clark has, was a factor in his decision in choosing a successor.

“Lt. Clark possesses the education and experience required of the position, but what really sets him apart is his dedication to the Hilliard Division of Police,” said Woods, who described Clark as a “hometown guy,” who is also “trustworthy, caring, committed and well-connected in the Hilliard community.”

Clark, too, said he will continue to see his role the same as before, that as “an embedded member of the community.”

“I run deep in Hilliard. I don’t just work for the Hilliard police, but think of it as being part of the community,” he said.

Clark’s wife, Vicky, is a retired assistant superintendent of Hilliard City Schools.

They have two sons and two daughters, all graduates of Hilliard City Schools, and six grandchildren.

One daughter, Paige Canale, continues the family’s ties to the community as principal of Alton Darby Building, one of two elementary schools on Alton Darby Creek Campus.

During his more than 30 years of experience on the Hilliard Division of Police, Clark has served in a variety of positions in the patrol and investigations bureaus.

Clark said he has seen a lot of changes, particularly in technology since becoming a police officer, but some things remain the same as before.

How information is collected and received has changed.

“When I was first an officer, we had to call into the radio room and ask for information about a vehicle registration,” whereas officers today learn it instantly via on-board computers in the cruiser, Clark said.

But what has not changed is “good old-fashioned police work.”

“Gut feelings, following the evidence and knocking and talking to develop leads and identify suspects,” is just the same, Clark said.

Clark said he is lucky to have landed at Hilliard when choosing to wear a shield.

“I’m fortunate to serve the Hilliard community (and) tremendously proud to wear the HPD badge.”

Clark has an associate degree from Columbus State Community College and a bachelor’s degree from American Military University, each in criminal justice.

He is also a graduate of the Certified Law Enforcement Executive (CLEE) School and the Police Executive Leadership College (PELC), as well as a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 272nd Session in 2018.

kcorvo@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekCorvo

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Hilliard Division of Police: From within ranks, new deputy chief named