Legislature Approves OMara-Palmesano Legislation Designating the Trooper Nicholas F. Clark Memorial Bridge
Measure pays tribute to life and service of fallen local Trooper
Bath, N.Y., June 25The Senate and Assembly have approved legislation sponsored by Senator Tom OMara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) designating a portion of I-86 in Steuben County as the Trooper Nicholas F. Clark Memorial Bridge.
The legislation (S5484/A7577) now goes to Governor Andrew Cuomo to be signed into law. If approved, the bridges on I-86 where the highway crosses State Route 415 will receive the designation. That section of the highway is located less than a half mile north of the State Police Barracks (Troop E, Zone 3) in Bath, where Clark was stationed at the time of his death.
Clark, a native of Canisteo, was killed in the line of duty last July during a confrontation in the town of Erwin. He was 29 years old and had been a New York State Trooper for three years.
The OMara-Palmesano legislation honors Clarks memory, and pays tribute to his life and service.
In a joint statement, OMara and Palmesano said, "We will look forward to Governor Cuomo signing this legislation into law and to an official designation ceremony in the future. We hope that this action will serve as a fitting tribute recalling the life, service and ultimate sacrifice of one of our local heroes. We hope that it will help express the enduring respect of our local community, our entire region, and the State of New York. The Trooper Nicholas F. Clark Memorial Bridge will forever honor Nicks memory and forever stand as a reminder of his service."
Clark was born and raised in the Canisteo Valley. He graduated from Canisteo-Greenwood High School in 2006 and from Alfred University in 2011. A stellar athlete, he was a New York State high school wrestling champion, and a four-year starter and All-Conference outside linebacker for the Alfred Saxons, where he set school records in tackles and earned a tryout with the Buffalo Bills.
He graduated from the State Police Academy in 2015 and was stationed in Ithaca and Auburn before transferring to the Bath barracks.
His mother (Theresa), father (Anthony), and brother (Nathan) survive him.